Book Review: Colonel Cody and the Flying Cathedral

Iowa cowboy becomes Britain’s first pilot

Growing up in eastern Iowa, I had no idea that one of the most significant figures in the history of British aviation originally hailed from my home state. This is one of the many fascinating things I learned from Garry Jenkins‘ 1999 book, Colonel Cody and the Flying Cathedral. 

Jenkins tells the story of Samuel Franklin Crowdery, who later took the stage name Cody, often falsely claiming to be the son of (fellow Iowan) Buffalo Bill Cody, while performing in early wild west shows in the U.S. and Europe. His larger-than-life existence began on America’s western frontier and ended with the largest military funeral the UK had ever seen.

Along the way SF Cody (as he came to be known) experienced the life of a genuine working cowboy, sharpshooter, international showman, and (most surprisingly to me) aviation pioneer. Somewhere between roping cattle and racing his horse against France’s fastest cyclists, Cody got interested in kite flying and became a part of the British military establishment on eve of World War 1. Along the way he developed a powered airplane and in 1909 became the first person to fly in Great Britain.

Many of the twists and turns that led Cody to that moment sound almost unbelievable. Part of the reason for this is that as a showman, he consistently embellished so much of his life story. Jenkins does an admirable job separating truths, half-truths, and utter fiction. His research includes not only the previous (highly dubious) biographies of Cody, but also other sources like western historical societies, family records, and the archives of the British military.

A window into SF Cody’s world

As fascinating as the story of SF Cody itself was, what I most appreciated about Garry Jenkins’ work is the glimpse that it provided into Edwardian Era Britain. Throughout his life Cody interacted with everyone from royalty to commoners. He had a seat at the table with generals while at the same time trying to make a living in Vaudeville theater. 

Despite being 25 years old, I just discovered Colonel Cody in our local used book shop, and I am very glad I did. There are so many disparate threads in Cody’s life it is hard to believe they all were contained in one person.  Whether you are an aviation buff, a fan of the Old West, or a British history buff, this book has something for you. 

Colonel Cody and the Flying Cathedral is available on Amazon in hardcover, paperback or Kindle.