Edward Judson I (Ned Buntline, 1821 - 1886)

Edward Judson I

Edward Zane Carroll Judson Sr., known by his pen name Ned Buntline, is an American adventurer, journalist, and writer.

Edward Judson was characterized by hooligan antics from his youth, but always gravitated towards writing. He started to publish newspapers several times, but unsuccessfully, ran away from debts and shot in a duel because of his mistress, sat in prison for organizing a riot and became a successful scandalous reporter.

Judson invented a character named Buffalo Bill and wrote several novels featuring him. He also wrote a play, Scouts of the Plains (1872), based on his life. Judson also wrote hundreds of one-night novels and serials that were sensationalized stories of villainous heroes and violence. It was he who originated the so-called "dime novels" in the Western genre popular in the late nineteenth century.