candidate: Jean - François Gravelet , crossed the Niagara Falls many times Robert Cadman , early 18th - century British highwire walker and ropeslider Con Colleano , Australian , " the Wizard of the Wire " David Dimitri , Swiss highwire walker Pablo Fanque , 19th - century British tightrope walker and " rope dancer " , among other talents , although best known as the first black circus owner in Britain , and for his mention in the Beatles song , Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite !