| Despite the fame of the fictional Harry
Potter, Richard Potter of New Hampshire is credited as America’s first
successful stage magician, hypnotist and ventriloquist. Legend says he was
able to climb a rope and disappear while performing outdoors surrounded by
spectators. That's the legend. Potter could throw his voice,
especially using bird sounds, with great skill. Reportedly Potter was
the son of an English baronet and an African American serving woman (some
say "slave"). He was educated in Europe and traveled widely before beginning
his 25 year career as a performer in post-Revolutionary America. He lived
with his father in Hopkington, NH and later married and lived in Andover,
NH. BACK |
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