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
W. S. Gilbert
Playwright, lyricist & poet. Born 17 Southampton Street as William Schwenck Gilbert. The Savoy Operas were written by Gilbert, with Sullivan providing the music and Richard D'Oyly Carte providi...
Thomas Doggett
Actor and theatre manager. Born in Castle Street, Dublin (his birth year is approximate). He possibly performed as a strolling player and had arrived in London by 1691, where he quickly achieved su...
Glenda May Jackson, CBE
Politician and actress. Born Glenda May Jackson in Birkenhead. She made her stage debut in 1957 and went on to a highly successful career in films, winning two best actress Oscars for 'Women in Lov...
Person, Cinema, Politics & Administration, Theatre, TV & Radio
Ellen Terry
Born in Coventry. From an acting family her stage career started at age 8. When 17 she retired from the stage to marry artist G.F. Watts, 30 years her senior. Her desire for the stage was greater t...
Tallulah Bankhead
Actor. Born and died America. Unsuccessful on Broadway so in 1923 came to London and was very successful on the West End stage. She returned to America and worked in both movies and on the stage. H...
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James Maxwell - WC2
WC2, Strand
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Workers of Woolwich
SE18, Woolwich New Road, Platform 1, Woolwich Arsenal Station
The mural depicts the activities carried out by workers at the former Royal Arsenal.
RMS Titanic Engineers
SE10, Park Row, National Maritme Museum
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Sir Charles Stanford
Composer, music teacher, and conductor. Born Dublin as Charles Villiers Stanford. Appointed Professor of Composition at the Royal College of Music in 1883, a position he held for the rest of his li...
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W6, Upper Mall Open Space
We don't really think this is a memorial, but would like to know what it is. From London Gardens Online: "Upper Mall Open Space is a riv...
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