The Great Blondin

Last updated on January 25, 2026 By Kris R

The Great BlondinTHE GREAT BLONDIN
AKA Jean Francois Gravelet
1859
(Survived)

Charles Blondin, (born Jean Francois Gravelet), a French tightrope walker and acrobat, better known as “The Great Blondin,” was obsessed with crossing the Niagara River on a tightrope after he first came to Niagara in early 1858.

On June 30, 1859, Blondin successfully walked across the river on a tight rope and reached Canada. For this crossing, Blondin used a long balancing pole weighing nearly 50 pounds.

After 20 minutes of rest, Blondin began the journey to the other side, this time with a Daguerreotype camera strapped to his back. He advanced 200 feet, affixed his balancing pole to the cable, untied the camera, adjusted it in front of him and snapped a likeness of the crowd along the American side. He then hoisted the camera back into place and continued on his way.

During the summer of 1859, Blondin completed 8 more crossings. His most difficult crossing occurred in August 1859 when he carried his manager Harry Colcord on his back.

During the summer of 1860, Blondin returned to Niagara for a second successful year of tight rope walking across the Niagara River in front of huge audiences. One of his acts included pushing a wheelbarrow along as he crossed.

Others followed, but none was more daring or famous. Blondin died in 1897 at the age of 73 years.

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