<Tr> <Th> Occupation </Th> <Td> schoolteacher </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Known for </Th> <Td> falling down Niagara Falls in a barrel on 24 October 1901 </Td> </Tr> <P> Annie Edson Taylor (October 24, 1838--April 29, 1921) was an American schoolteacher who, on her birthday, October 24, 1901, became the first person to survive a trip over Niagara Falls in a barrel . Her motives were financial but she never made much money from her adventure . </P> <P> Annie Edson Taylor was born on October 24, 1838 in Auburn, New York . She was one of eight children; her father, Merrick Edson, owned a flour mill . He died when she was 12 years old but the money he left behind continued to provide a comfortable living for the family . She became a schoolteacher (she received an honors degree in a four - year training course). During her studies she met David Taylor . They were married and had a son who died in infancy . Her husband died soon after . After she was widowed, she spent her working years in between jobs and locales . </P>

Who was the first person to go down niagara falls in a barrel