This Webpage is dedicated to "Blondin", Funambulus, Equilibrist, (Tightrope-Walker), Aerialist and Acrobat Extraordinaire


It also contains a History of Tightrope-Walking by way of 'Anecdotes and Quotes Through the Centuries'



The trust seek to commemorate his life by
giving talks, lectures and tightrope events. Our aim is to preserve and honour his memory and raise funds to renovate and
maintain Blondin's grave and monument.


Serving to commemorate "Blondin"


Born 28 February 1824 - Died 23 February, 1897

 

"BLONDIN"

Funambulus (Tightrope Walker)

Born Jean Francois Gravelet on 28 February 1824 at St.Omer, France.

Photo: The famous "Blondin" on the tightrope

"Funambulus" comes from the ancient Greek: from funis, a rope, and ambulaire, to walk.

Blondin learnt to walk a tightrope from a very early age.

At the age of 35 on 30 June 1859, he first accomplished the feat of crossing the gorge below the Niagara Falls - a distance of around 1100 feet using a tightrope, thus creating his celebrity and fortune.    The tightrope was 50 metres (160 feet) above the water, nearly half a kilometre (over quarter of a mile) long and just 7.5cm (three inches) in diameter.  Blondin's obsession with the Niagara Falls continued and he actually made a further 16 crossings, each one more daring than the last:

He crossed it blindfolded, pushing a wheelbarrow; once he carried a stove, stopped half way across and cooked himself an omelette and on another time he crossed on stilts. In August 1859 he crossed the gorge with his manager Harry Colcord on his back.

According to legend Colcord claimed that the trip was truly terrifying with broken guy ropes causing the rope to swing violently and Colcord had to dismount half way across. In 1860 the Prince of Wales watched Blondin cross Niagara Gorge. He was asked if he would like to be carried on Blondin’s back for the return journey. He refused.

 In 1861 he first appeared in London at Crystal Palace and toured the United Kingdom and Europe, subsequently ending his performances with one in Belfast, Ireland in 1896

He died 23rd February 1897, having twice married and is buried in Kensal Green Cemetery, London, England.

Photo:  "Blondin"

The Blondin Memorial Trust

The members of the Trust meet once a year at Blondin's Grave in Kensal Green Cemetery to honour his memory with a Toast.

All who are interested are cordially invited to attend.

The trust seek to commemorate his life by
giving talks, lectures and tightrope events. Our aim is the renovation and
maintenance of Blondin's grave and monument.

We seek funds in order to
renovate the tomb of Blondin, which is in dire need of repair.

Next Gathering:

23rd February 2009, 2.00 p.m. sharp

All are Welcome

 

Map of Kensal Green Cemetery:  Nearest Tube Station : Kensal Green

Please join with no fee if you support our aims.  Donations are appreciated to upkeep the Kensal Green grave

Any person wishing to join our small group, or who are interested in booking a talk or lecture or tightrope event,  please use our contact e-mail page or write to our Secretary:

Ms Hermine Demoriane, 3 Raleigh Street, London N1 8NW. 

Telephone  020 7226 1655



Places of interest:

Kensal Green Cemetery [Grave No 13198 Square 140 Row 1]
Niagara Falls & Public Library
Ladywood Middleway Birmingham - Statue erected 1992

Books of interest:

"The Tightrope Walker" by Hermine Demoriane
1989 Martin Secker & Warburg Ltd
[160 pages about the art of tightrope-walking and a biography of the Author]

 

Website Created by Bluey Brattle February 2008