Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin

1805-1871

Robert-Houdin was a French conjurer and magician. Houdin was originally a clockmaker. 

Houdin was celebrated for his optical illusions and mechanical devices and for his attributing his “magic” to natural instead of supernatural means.

Houdin was the first to use electromagnetism for his effects.

He wrote an autobiography (1857).

Secrets of Prestidigitation and Magic (1868).

Harry Houdini , who named himself for Houdin, wrote The Unmasking of Robert-Houdin in 1908.