Annie Edson Taylor
1838 – 1921

Annie Edson Taylor

American schoolteacher and daredevil; first person to successfully go over Niagara Falls in a barrel (1838–1921)

stunt performerteacher
Born
1838-10-24, Auburn
Died
1921-04-29
Birthplace state
New York

Biography

Annie Edson Taylor was born in Auburn, New York in 1838 and worked as a schoolteacher. On October 24, 1901, her 63rd birthday, she became the first person to survive going over Niagara Falls in a barrel, though she was motivated by financial gain and made little money from the feat. She died on April 29, 1921, without funds, and her funeral was paid for through public donations.

Occupation

Annie Edson Taylor is recorded as a stunt performer and a teacher, born in New York (1838–1921).

Connections to New York

Annie Edson Taylor was born in Auburn, New York in 1838. Explore other notable figures from New York, historic sites connected to this era, and the full colonial and statehood history of the state using the links below.

Other notable figures from New YorkNew Yorkhistory ›Historic sites in New York
Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Auburn

Annie Edson Taylor came from Auburn. A full Aubrey report on Auburn pulls together everything the historical record holds about that place, from the first settlers to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Auburn report
Or see a real report first

More notable figures from New York

Other historical figures born in New York, ranked by historical prominence.

Donald Trump
Donald Trump
American businessman and politician (born 1946), President of the United States (2017–2021; since 2025)
Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt
president of the United States from 1933 to 1945 (1882–1945)
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
26th President of the United States from 1901 to 1909 (1858–1919)
Stanley Kubrick
Stanley Kubrick
American filmmaker (1928–1999)
Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman
American poet, essayist and journalist (1819–1892)
Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt
American diplomat and activist, First Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945 (1884–1962)
Martin Van Buren
Martin Van Buren
president of the United States from 1837 to 1841

Frequently asked about Annie Edson Taylor

Who was Annie Edson Taylor?
Annie Edson Taylor was American schoolteacher and daredevil; first person to successfully go over Niagara Falls in a barrel (1838–1921), born in New York (1838 – 1921).
When and where was Annie Edson Taylor born?
Annie Edson Taylor was born on 1838-10-24 in Auburn.
When did Annie Edson Taylor die?
Annie died on 1921-04-29.
What was Annie Edson Taylor known for?
Annie Edson Taylor is recorded as a stunt performer and a teacher.
Source

Biographical content adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Source: Wikipedia.

Aubrey Research

Research the history of any US location

Aubrey searches federal archives, archaeological records, historic registers, and primary sources to build a full historical report for any address or place in the United States.

Research your locationView a free sample report