Barrel Queen: Annie Edson Taylor’s Triumph Over Niagara
Annie Edson Taylor was the first person to conquer Niagara Falls in a barrel. The former schoolteacher accomplished this feat on her 63rd birthday. Although she survived the waterfall descent, her stunt didn’t bring her the fame she desired. She died in poverty on April 29, 1921, and only became a legend years later.
6 min readMay 4, 2024
The future record-breaker was born on October 24, 1839, in Auburn, New York. She grew up in a wealthy, large family of Lucretia Waring and miller Marrick Edson. From a young age, Annie was interested in sports and outdoor activities. She was a bright girl who enjoyed reading, and during breaks between chapters, she dreamed of becoming a teacher to share knowledge with other children. This aspiration led her to study at the Conference Seminary and Collegiate Institute in Charlottesville.
Annie’s youth was filled with a series of misfortunes.
Her father’s profession allowed the Edsons to live comfortably. Unfortunately, Marrick died when Annie was only 12 years old. His loss was painful, but the inherited fortune secured the children’s financial…
