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
Simon Callow
Actor, director, writer. Born Streatham.
Fortune Theatre - EC1
Knowledge of London says: "One of the earliest theatres, the Fortune Theatre . . . was first opened in 1600 by Philip Henslowe and Edward Allen. It burnt down in 1621 and was rebuilt soon afterward...
Charles Laughton
Charles Laughton was born on 1 July 1899 in the Victoria Hotel, 79 Westborough, Scarborough, Yorkshire, one of the five children of Robert Laughton (1868-1924) and Eliza Laughton (1869-1953). On t...
Person, Armed Forces, Cinema, Seriously Famous, Theatre, USA
Comic Heritage
Merged with the Heritage Foundation.
Davis' Theatre
Built by Grace and Marsh and operated by Israel Davis and his family. It opened with the British premiere of Josef von Sternberg's The Last Command, and was equipped with the largest Compton organ...