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Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin, (December 6, 1805 - 1871) was a French magician, born in Blois, France, where he also died. He is widely considered the pioneer in the modern performance art of illusionism. The stage name of Harry Houdini was taken in tribute to him, though Houdini later denounced him.
Houdin was a watchmaker, and made mechanical toys and machines. From an early age he had been interested in juggling and sleight of hand, and in 1845 he began to exhibit his skill, soon becoming famous for his tricks.
The Arabs of Algeria were said to be excited to rebel against French colonialists by false miracles performed by their religious leaders. In 1856, the French government sent Houdin there, hoping that he might perform tricks that were far more impressive, thereby dissolving the excitement of the rebels. Houdin's tricks, it is said, succeeded in breaking up the influence of the priests. Moreover, the Arabs became afraid of Houdin. In one trick, he allowed an Arab to shoot at him with a marked ball, but instead of killing him, the ball was found between his teeth. After that, they believed he could do anything. Houdin was not the first illusionist to perform the bullet catch and many since him have adapted their own version of the effect.
Houdin is often credited as being "the father of modern magic". Before him, magicians performed in marketplaces and fairs, but Houdin performed magic in theatres and private parties. He also chose to wear formal clothes, like those of his audiences. Many magicians today mimic this by wearing tail-coats, though other magicians view this as old-fashioned and believe that they should wear contemporary clothes. Doug Henning was the first to rebel against this stereotype with a distinctive modern look of his own.
Reading any biographies of him, it's obvious that Houdin lived for magic, constantly conjuring new ideas and performing even on vacation. His wife was often involved in his extremely clever and innovative tricks, which he had to admit were 'deceptions' to authorities, to avoid prosecution under witchcraft.
His home in Blois is open to the public as a museum and theatre.
Robert-Houdin's autobiography is The Memoirs of Robert-Houdin.
External links
A Conjurer's Confessions by M. Robert-Houdin (http://gaslight.mtroyal.ab.ca/gaslight/houdin.htm)fr:Robert Houdin ja:ロベール・ウーダン fi:Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin