Ned Buntline: The Sensational Life of a Dime Novel Pioneer
Before the modern era of pulp fiction and thrillers, there was Ned Buntline. Born as Judson, this enigmatic figure carved a path through 19th-century America as a journalist, novelist, and provocateur. His life was as melodramatic as the stories he penned, marked by failed business ventures, legal battles, and a relentless drive for sensationalism.
Buntline's literary journey began in 1838 with an adventure story published in The Knickerbocker. While he spent several years attempting to establish newspapers and story papers in the East, most of these ventures ended in failure. However, he found early success with The Mysteries and Miseries of New York, a gritty serial that explored the slums and the Bowery, helping to establish his reputation for depicting the darker side of urban life.
In 1844, he adopted the pen name "Ned Buntline," deriving the name from the nautical term for a rope attached to the bottom of a square sail.
Early Struggles and Personal Turmoil
The 1840s were a period of instability for Buntline. After moving to Pittsburgh in 1843 to ostensibly study law with his father, Levi Carroll Judson, he instead attempted to launch Ned Buntline's Magazine. The publication lasted only two issues before failing. During this time, he formed a close bond with the Allen brothers, William and George, who were co-owners of the steamboat Cicero.
Buntline's personal life was equally volatile. He married Seberina Escudero in St. Augustine, Florida, but the marriage was fraught with financial hardship. While Buntline worked as a hand on William Allen's steamboat—where he once lost a barrel of whiskey and accepted a counterfeit $10 note—Escudero supported them by sewing shirts in Cincinnati for 12 1/2 cents each. The couple eventually relocated to Nashville and Kentucky, where Buntline launched another magazine, Buntline's Own. Tragically, Seberina passed away in Smithland, Kentucky, in early 1846.
Violence, Law, and the Path to Fame
Buntline's life often mirrored the violence of his fiction. In 1846, while in Nashville, he engaged in a romance with the teenage wife of Robert Porterfield. This led to a duel on March 14, 1846, in which Buntline killed Porterfield. The aftermath was chaotic: during his murder trial, Buntline was shot and wounded by the victim's brother and escaped custody. Though he was later captured and nearly lynched by a mob, a Tennessee grand jury ultimately refused to indict him.
Despite his legal troubles, Buntline's career as a professional writer accelerated. In 1847, publisher Maturin Murray Ballou paid him $100 to write The Black Avenger of the Spanish Main: or, The Fiend of Blood, a violent pirate novel. He followed this with The Red Revenger; Or, The Pirate King of the Floridas, cementing his place in the early dime-novel market.
Political Activism and Public Notoriety
Buntline was a man of strong, often controversial, opinions. He was a leader in the Know Nothing movement—a nativist political faction—and a staunch advocate for temperance, despite being a heavy drinker himself. His association with New York City's notorious gangs and his inflammatory writing made him an instigator of the Astor Place Riot, a violent clash that resulted in 23 deaths. For his role, he was fined $250 and sentenced to a year in prison in 1849.
Following his release, Buntline found immense financial success writing sensational stories for weekly newspapers, reportedly earning $20,000 a year. His penchant for trouble followed him to St. Louis in 1852, where he was involved in a nativist riot. He eluded authorities for decades, only to be arrested in 1872 while promoting a play.
Key Facts
- Real Name: Judson (known professionally as Ned Buntline).
- Notable Works: The Black Avenger of the Spanish Main and The Mysteries and Miseries of New York.
- Political Affiliations: Member of the Know Nothing Party and an ardent Republican until 1884.
- Legal History: Killed a man in a duel (1846) and was imprisoned for his role in the Astor Place Riot (1849).
- Famous Connection: Met William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody during a temperance lecture tour.
Summary of Buntline's Career and Life
| Period/Year | Event/Achievement | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 1838 | First publication in The Knickerbocker | Entry into professional writing |
| 1844 | Adoption of "Ned Buntline" pen name | Established literary persona |
| 1846 | Duel with Robert Porterfield | Death of Porterfield; Buntline escaped custody |
| 1847 | Wrote The Black Avenger of the Spanish Main | Success in the dime-novel genre |
| 1849 | Astor Place Riot involvement | Fined $250 and imprisoned for one year |
| Post-1849 | Sensational weekly newspaper stories | Reported income of $20,000 per year |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name "Buntline" mean?
Buntline is a nautical term referring to the rope that attaches to the bottom of a square sail.
How did Buntline fund his early magazines?
Buntline struggled financially, often borrowing money from the Allen brothers and even pawning his wife's jewelry to cover living expenses. He also used a $600 bounty earned from capturing two murderers in Eddyville, Kentucky, to start Ned Buntline's Own.
What was Buntline's role in the Astor Place Riot?
Due to his columns and connections with New York City gangs, Buntline was one of the instigators of the riot, which led to 23 deaths and resulted in his imprisonment.
Was Ned Buntline actually a supporter of temperance?
Yes, he traveled the country giving lectures on temperance, although he was known to be a heavy drinker himself.
Who was the hero of Buntline's "Running the Blockade"?
The hero of the story, published in The Knickerbocker in October 1844, was William Allen.