Profile of the Day: Harry Houdini

Posted March 24, 2023 by Amanda | No Comment

On this day in 1874, illusionist and escape artist Harry Houdini was born.

Image: Harry Houdini / Library of Congress

Houdini was born Erik Weisz on March 24, 1874 in Budapest, Hungary. He was one of seven children born to Rabbi Mayer Samuel Weisz and Cecilia Steiner. Set on becoming a professional magician, Erik changed his name to Harry Houdini, after the French magician, Jean Eugène Robert-Houdini. He became widely known as “The Handcuff King” for his remarkable ability to escape from handcuffs, chains, ropes, and straitjackets.

Houdini also held a strong distaste for fake magicians and spiritualist and spent a great deal of time dedicated to exposing these fraudulent artists. His quest to expose fake spiritualists eventually led Houdini and author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, a firm believer in spiritualism, to become very public antagonists.

Explore Harry Houdini’s family tree and share your connection to the famous illusionist!

View Harry Houdini’s Geni Profile

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Amanda is the Marketing Communications Manager at Geni. If you need any assistance, she will be happy to help!

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