DescriptionThis dissertation examines how frontier narratives interacted with discourses of American boyhood to establish and inform notions of race, gender, and national identity in the second half of the nineteenth century. A rich academic conversation exists exploring connections between the mythic power of the American frontier and nineteenth century constructions of hegemonic masculinity; this project adds to that conversation by considering the dynamic relationship between frontier narratives and boyhood. This is a cultural history, assessing prominent nineteenth century cultural forms, such as the dime novel and the Wild West show, through the vivid interplay of frontier mythos and boyhood. Through this interplay, these cultural forms brought together late nineteenth century notions of child development, history, and frontier mythology to tell powerful stories about America’s past and create hopeful visions of its future.