# Buffalo Bill — The Life of Buffalo Bill character guide > Buffalo Bill in The Life of Buffalo Bill by William F. Cody. **Role:** major **Also known as:** William F. Cody, Bill Cody, Cody, Massa Bill, Massa Buffalo Bill, Bill **First appearance:** 0002-the-life-of-buffalo-bill ## Snapshot A plainsman from boyhood who rode pony express, drove stagecoaches, and scouted for the Union Army before earning fame as the frontier's deadliest buffalo hunter. ## Who they are Cody narrates his own life as a series of hard-won trades — bull-whacker, express rider, stage driver, cavalry scout — each one a rung on a ladder he climbed by nerve rather than pedigree. His modesty sits uneasily beside a reputation he insists was earned honestly, and the tension between the man and the legend he is becoming runs through every chapter. He matters because the book's early arc is the making of a scout: the boy in Kansas who learns the plains well enough to guide generals through them. ## Relationships ### [Captain Graham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/characters/captain_graham) _professional_ Buffalo Bill worked alongside Captain Graham during military scouting missions and frontier operations. ### [Colonel Royal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/characters/colonel_royal) _professional_ Buffalo Bill worked with Colonel Royal in military scouting and frontier operations. ### [Mrs. Burns](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/characters/mrs_burns) _social_ Mrs. Burns was a civilian acquaintance of Buffalo Bill, likely a neighbor or local resident in the frontier community. ### [Ned Buntline](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/characters/ned_buntline) _professional_ Ned Buntline collaborated with Buffalo Bill to create sensationalized dime novels and stage shows that made Cody famous. ### [Captain Graham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/characters/captain_graham) _professional_ Buffalo Bill worked alongside Captain Graham during military scouting missions and frontier operations. ### [Ned Buntline](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/characters/ned_buntline) _professional_ Ned Buntline collaborated with Buffalo Bill to create sensationalized dime novels and stage shows that made Cody famous. ### [Colonel Royal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/characters/colonel_royal) _professional_ Buffalo Bill worked with Colonel Royal in military scouting and frontier operations. ## In the story ### [Introductory](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/introductory) Subject of the biography; described as a truthful, modest, and skilled plainsman, scout, hunter, and actor. ### [The Life of Buffalo Bill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/the-life-of-buffalo-bill) The central figure of the chapter, whose life story is being narrated. ### [Childhood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/i-childhood) Narrates his childhood experiences, including his brother's death and the family's move to Kansas. ### [Early Influences](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/ii-early-influences) Young Bill Cody experiences his first encounters with soldiers, Indians, and emigrant trains, and learns horsemanship from Horace Billings. ### [Boy Days in Kansas](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/iii-boy-days-in-kansas) Young Bill Cody spends time with Indian boys, learns archery and the Kickapoo language, and later helps his father escape pro-slavery men. ### [Youthful Experiences](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/iv-youthful-experiences) Narrator and protagonist; recounts his first Indian kill and schoolyard fight. ### [In Business](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/v-in-business) Young Billy Cody, determined to follow the plains as an occupation, joins Simpson's train as an extra hand. ### [Hard Times](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/vi-hard-times) Narrator and protagonist; survives the winter at Fort Bridger, participates in the Indian attack, and later returns home. ### [Accidents and Escapes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/vii-accidents-and-escapes) Narrates the chapter; breaks his leg and is left alone in a dugout, then visited by Sioux warriors and later rescued by Harrington. ### [Adventures on the Overland Road](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/viii-adventures-on-the-overland-road) Returns to the plains, becomes a Pony Express rider for Slade, makes a record 322-mile ride, and joins a stock-recovery expedition. ### [X: Questionable Proceedings](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/x-questionable-proceedings) Narrator and participant in the jayhawking raids; returns home to visit his mother. ### [A Soldier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/xi-a-soldier) Narrates his Civil War experiences as a scout and soldier, including his reunion with Wild Bill Hickok and his enlistment in the Seventh Kansas. ### [XII: A Wedding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/xii-a-wedding) Narrator and protagonist; marries Louisa Frederici, scouts for the army, and rides with General Custer. ### [A Millionaire](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/xiii-a-millionaire) Partners with William Rose to found the town of Rome, loses his fortune when Hays City overtakes it, then demonstrates his buffalo-hunting prowess by killing eleven buffalo with twelve shots while riding bareback. ### [XIV: Earning a Title](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/xiv-earning-a-title) Narrator and protagonist; hired as a buffalo hunter for the Kansas Pacific Railroad, earns his nickname, and survives multiple Indian attacks. ### [Champion Buffalo Killer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/xv-champion-buffalo-killer) Narrator and protagonist; wins the buffalo hunting match against Billy Comstock, earning the title of champion buffalo hunter. ### [A Courier](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/xvi-a-courier) The narrator and protagonist, who volunteers for dangerous courier duty and successfully delivers dispatches despite multiple close calls with Indians. ### [An Appointment](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/xvii-an-appointment) Receives appointment as guide and chief of scouts from General Sheridan. ### [Scouting](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/xviii-scouting) Acts as guide and chief of scouts; has Cody's Creek named after him; survives an Indian ambush; kills buffalo for the command. ### [A Tough Time](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/xix-a-tough-time) Serves as chief of scouts under General Carr, leads the wagon train down a steep bluff, and hunts antelope to supply the camp. ### [An Exciting Chase](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/xx-an-exciting-chase) Acts as a U.S. detective, leading the pursuit and capture of horse thieves. ### [A Military Expedition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/xxi-a-military-expedition) Serves as scout for the Fifth Cavalry, reports Indian trail, delivers dispatch, and participates in skirmishes. ### [A Desperate Fight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/xxii-a-desperate-fight) Leads Pawnee scouts ahead of the command, kills Chief Tall Bull, captures his horse, and later races it. ### [Administering Justice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/xxiii-administering-justice) Narrator and protagonist; serves as chief of scouts, becomes justice of the peace, and participates in skirmishes. ### [Hunting Expedition](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/xxiv-hunting-expedition) Serves as guide and organizer of the hunting expedition; plays a joke on Mr. McCarthy; presides as chief justice in a mock court-martial. ### [Hunting with a Grand Duke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/xxv-hunting-with-a-grand-duke) Organizes the hunt, guides the Grand Duke, and demonstrates stage-driving skills. ### [Sightseeing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/xxvi-sightseeing) Narrates his first stage appearance and his experiences in New York and Chicago. ### [Honors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/xxvii-honors) Leads a charge against Indians, receives a scalp wound, guides hunting parties, and is elected to the Nebraska legislature. ### [An Actor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/xxviii-an-actor) Narrates his transition from scout and legislator to stage actor, despite self-doubt and criticism from friends. ### [Starring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/xxix-starring) Narrator and protagonist; organizes theatrical companies, guides hunting expeditions, and mourns the death of his son Kit. ### [I Return to the Plains](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/xxx-i-return-to-the-plains) Returns to the Plains to join the Sioux War, serves as guide and chief of scouts for the Fifth Cavalry, and kills a Cheyenne chief in a duel. ### [Dangerous Work](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/xxxi-dangerous-work) Narrator and protagonist; scouts on steamer, rides dispatches, guides troops, and later pursues theatrical career. ### [Conclusion](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/chapters/xxxii-conclusion) Returns to North Platte, participates in roundup, spends time with family, purchases cattle, and organizes his dramatic troupe. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/characters/buffalo_bill - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_life_of_buffalo_bill_se/characters