Born 4 Boston Terrace, Holloway, as David Wighton. His stage name was taken from the title of a painting ‘David devant Goliath’ (David before Goliath), and was first used, aged 17. Married his, no doubt beautiful, assistant in about 1888. Had a long and successful partnership with Maskelyne who had been one of his early inspirations. 1905 – 1915 they performed at St George’s Hall, next door to the Queen’s Hall. One of the first to recognise the potential of the Lumières’ 1896 demonstration in London of moving pictures. First president of the Magic Circle in 1905. Appeared in the first royal command variety performance in 1912. Died at the Royal Hospital for Incurables, Putney, from a progressive palsy which had caused him to retire from public performing in 1919.
This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
David Devant
Commemorated ati
David Devant
David Devant, 1868 - 1941, magician, lived here in flat no. 1. English Heritage
Other Subjects
Tommy Steele
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Enid Bagnold
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W. B. Yeats
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Alhambra Theatre
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His Majesty's Theatre / Her Majesty's Theatre
In 1705 Vanbrugh completed the Queen's Theatre, named in honour of Queen Anne, which quickly became informally known as the Haymarket Opera House (not to be confused with the Theatre Royal Haymarke...
Previously viewed
Michael Faraday - Larcom Street
SE17, Larcom Street
We've moaned about this before and no doubt will do so again. There should be a rule that no plaque can be erected unless it explains why...
Second Lieutenant Cecil Abraham Botibol
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RAF, RFC & RNAS
SW1, Victoria Embankment
A time capsule is buried beneath this monument. From Londonist: "The box, filled with first world war memorabilia, is fashioned from the...
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