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
Virginia McKenna
Actor and wild-life campaigner. Born Marylebone. Briefly married to actor Denholm Elliott, then to actor Bill Travers 1957 until his death in 1994. Played Violette Szabo, in the 1958 film 'Carve...
George Leybourne
Music hall entertainer. Born Gateshead. His first stage name was Joe Saunders. 1866 he had a big success with the song 'Champagne Charlie' and took on the name and life-style for ever after. Engage...
Boris Karloff
Actor. Born as William Henry Pratt at the house with the plaque. His acting career began in the theatre in Canada, where he adopted his stage name. Arriving in Hollywood he appeared in dozens of si...
Person, Cinema, Seriously Famous, Theatre, TV & Radio, Canada, USA
Roger Lloyd-Pack
Actor. Born in Islington. For many years he was a relatively unknown stalwart with the Royal Shakespeare and National Theatre companies. It was in 1981 that he achieved national fame, playing the l...
Ashley Dukes
Playwright, critic and theatre manager. Founded the Mercury Theatre. Husband of Dame Marie Rambert.