Charles Blondin

AKA:
The Great Blondin, The Little Wonder
Birth Name:
Jean François Gravelet
Birth Date:
February 28, 1824
Birth Place:
Hesdin, Pas-de-Calais, France
Death Date:
February 22, 1897
Place of Death:
Blondin's "Niagara House", Northfield Avenue, Northfields, London W5 4UG, UK
Age:
72
Cause of Death:
Diabetes
Cemetery Name:
Kensal Green Cemetery
Claim to Fame:
The Odd and the Interesting
Charles Blondin was a French tightrope walker and acrobat. During the winter of 1858, a 34-year-old French acrobat traveled to Niagara Falls hoping to become the first person to cross the “boiling cataract.” Noting the masses of ice and snow on either bank and the violent whirls of wind circling the gorge, Blondin delayed the grand event until he would have better weather. He always worked without a net, believing that preparing for disaster only made one more likely to occur. Known for his numerous crossings of the 1,100 ft (340 m) Niagara Gorge on a tightrope, he added a touch of showmanship - once stopping midway to cook an omelette and once carrying his manager on his back. Believe it or not, he died in bed at the ripe age of 72.

Cemetery Information:

Final Resting Place:

Kensal Green Cemetery

Harrow Rd

North Kensington, London, W10 4RA

United Kingdom

Europe

Map:

Grave Location:

Grave 13198, Square 140, Row 1

Grave Location Description

After entering through the main entrance, turn right at the first intersection and head west. Continue heading straight along this road for about 1,850 feet until reaching the church. Go around the church. You can either go right to go around or go left, and continue heading west. Charles Blondin’s grave is about 95 feet directly west of the church. After going around the church and heading west, drive about 95 feet and park your car along the road. Blondin’s grave will be on your left and near the road.

Grave Location GPS

51.528554, -0.226546

Photos:

[+]
[+]
[+]
[+]
[+]
[+]
[+]
[+]
[+]
[+]
[+]
[+]

FAQ's

Charles Blondin was born on February 28, 1824.

Charles Blondin was born in Hesdin, Pas-de-Calais, France.

Charles Blondin died on February 22, 1897.

Charles Blondin died in Blondin's "Niagara House", Northfield Avenue, Northfields, London W5 4UG, UK.

Charles Blondin was 72.

The cause of death was Diabetes.

Charles Blondin's grave is in Kensal Green Cemetery

Read More About Charles Blondin:

Videos Featuring Charles Blondin:

Watch YouTube video titled The Charles Blondin Wheelbarrow Story
The Charles Blondin Wheelbarrow Story
Watch YouTube video titled The True Story of Trust and Faith - Blondin; The Greatest Tightrope Walker in History
The True Story of Trust and Faith - Blondin; The Greatest Tightrope Walker in History
Watch YouTube video titled Tightrope Daredevil Extraordinaire: The Great Blondin
Tightrope Daredevil Extraordinaire: The Great Blondin
Watch YouTube video titled The Great Blondin Trailer
The Great Blondin Trailer

See More:

Charlotte Bridgwood

popular name: Charlotte Bridgwood

date_of_death: August 20, 1929

age: 68

cause_of_death: Unknown

claim_to_fame: The Odd and the Interesting

best_know_for: Charlotte Bridgwood patented the first electrically powered windshield wiper in 1917, improving previous manually-operated wipers such as the one patented by Mary Anderson in 1905. However, her wiper used rollers rather than blades and did not catch on. She was also the mother of silent screen star Florence Lawrence (a.k.a The Biograph Girl) who followed her mother in inventing automotive accessories.

John King

popular name: John King

date_of_death: September 27, 1880

age: 62

cause_of_death: Crushed by an adult Asian elephant

claim_to_fame: The Odd and the Interesting

best_know_for: John King was a John Robinson circus trainer which, at the time was one of the largest traveling circus shows in the country. John Robinson had elephants and a huge menagerie featuring other creatures. On September 27, 1880 when the circus was unloading from the railcars in Charlotte, North Carolina, a bull Asian elephant named Chief saw John King and raced over and threw King into the side of the railcar, killing him instantly.

Daisy and Violet Hilton

popular name: Daisy and Violet Hilton

date_of_death: January 4, 1969

age: 60

cause_of_death: Hong Kong flu

claim_to_fame: The Odd and the Interesting

best_know_for: Daisy and Violet Hilton, born in the early 1900s in Brighton, England, were conjoined twins joined at the hip and buttocks. Their lives were a blend of exploitation and fame, marked by challenges and achievements. Born to an unmarried barmaid, Kate Skinner, the twins were sold to her employer, Mary Hilton, who saw their potential as a spectacle. Under Mary Hilton's care, they were trained as performers and toured extensively, particularly in the U.S., where they were exhibited as "freaks" in sideshows and carnivals. After Mary's death, the twins became the wards of her daughter and son-in-law, Edith and Meyer Myers, who continued exploiting them financially and refusing to allow them out in public unless they were performing. They later gained legal independence in 1931 after suing the Myers family, receiving $100,000 in restitution (far below what they earned). The Hiltons became vaudeville stars, captivating their audiences with their talents including dancing, singing and playing instruments. Despite their fame, the Hilton sisters faced significant personal challenges. Exploitation in their early years left them unprepared to manage their finances and lives independently. They attempted romantic relationships, but societal prejudice and legal barriers prevented marriage. Their brief appearance in Tod Browning's 1932 cult classic film Freaks and the 1951 biopic Chained for Life showcased their lives but didn't lead to lasting success. As vaudeville declined, the sisters struggled financially. They ended up working in a grocery store in Charlotte, North Carolina. In 1969, they died of the Hong Kong flu, passing within days of each other due to their physical connection. After their passing, they were laid to rest at Forest Lawn West in Charlotte, NC.

Back to Top