Buffalo Bill was America’s first celebrity… and the most famous man in the world at the turn of the 20th century.
He was a former scout, soldier, Buffalo hunter…but what he’s most known for of course, is his showmanship. He vied with PT Barnum for the title of greatest showman on earth.
At the end of the 19th century, his Wild West show travelled across the United States, Great Britain, and Continental Europe - bringing the thrill and grit of the American Frontier to an audience of over 50 million people.
His long hair, full moustache and goatee, with oversized stetson hat, fringed buck-skin jacket and riding boots, became the iconic image of America.
But who was Buffalo Bill and how do we separate fact from fiction? Join Don Wildman as he explores the remarkable life of Buffalo Bill and discovers that sometimes the truth really is stranger than fiction.
Up Next in People Who Made History
-
Max Eisen: Surviving Auschwitz
Max Eisen was only 15 when he and his family were taken from their Hungarian home to the infamous Auschwitz Concentration Camp during the Second World War. All of his relatives were killed; only Max survived to see VE Day and eventual liberation. 74 years on from being liberated, he talks about t...
-
The Life of Churchill's Cook
Annie Gray's latest project is a biography of the woman who cooked for Churchill. Georgina Landemare was one of the few people able to cope with the demands, eccentricities and public nudity that came with working for the Churchills. Where all the other servants came and went fairly rapidly, she ...
-
Pinches of Salt and Gold: Uncovering ...
Documentary telling the story of Mansa Musa, the famous 14th century ruler of Mali, renowned for his great wealth. Featuring Professor Amira Bennison, Boubacar Diallo, Hadrien Collet, Mauro Nobili and Madina Thiam.
13 Comments