February 28: Birthday of Blondin (1824)
Prayer Idea
Pray for entertainers who seek to bring joy and wonder to audiences.
History Note
Jean François Gravelet was born on February 28, 1824, is Hesdin, France. His parents were acrobats, and the family traveled around France and to other countries performing. Gravelet and his siblings became talented performers.
Gravelet took the stage name of Blondin in 1851 when he joined a French troupe of tightrope walkers, acrobats, and pantomimes. That troupe traveled across the Atlantic to perform in the United States, Canada, and Cuba.
In 1859 Blondin stretched a 1,100-foot rope across the Niagara River below Niagara Falls, 160 feet above the water. He gave a series of sensational performances, crossing the river blindfolded or pushing a wheelbarrow or walking on stilts. Blondin even carried his manager across on his back. Former U.S. president Millard Fillmore was among the thousands of people who attended one of the shows.
Blondin went on to perform in China, Japan, Australia, India, the United Kingdom, and elsewhere in Europe. He died in 1897 at age 72.
This photo by William England shows Blondin over the Niagara River in 1859.
Learn More
Watch this video about Blondin.
Learn more about Blondin and funambulism, a fancy name for tightrope walking, at Homeschool History.
