David Devant

British magician

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June 17, 2026

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David Devant was a prominent British magician who significantly influenced the art of illusion. He partnered with John Nevil Maskelyne, a fellow magician and inventor, and together they advanced the field of sleight of hand. Devant, along with Maskelyne's son Nevil, co-authored Our Magic, a key text on the theory of magic. Devant was a celebrated performer in England, contributing to the development of magic as a theatrical art form.12

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John Nevil Maskelyne
…Maskelyne took as a partner David Devant, the most famous magician in England. Maskelyne’s son Nevil collaborated with Devant on Our Magic (1911), an important source book on the theory of magic.
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…Maskelyne took as a partner David Devant, the most famous magician in England. Maskelyne’s son Nevil collaborated with Devant on Our Magic (1911), an important source book on the theory of magic.
Read More

magic
…John Nevil Maskelyne (1839–1917) and David Devant (1868–1941) in London became the rage. In 1903, Okito, T. Nelson Downs, the Great Lafayette, Servais LeRoy, Paul Valadon, Howard Thurston, and Horace Goldin, a veritable all-star team of renowned conjurers, appeared simultaneously in different London theatres. At the same time, Max Malini…
Read More
…John Nevil Maskelyne (1839–1917) and David Devant (1868–1941) in London became the rage. In 1903, Okito, T. Nelson Downs, the Great Lafayette, Servais LeRoy, Paul Valadon, Howard Thurston, and Horace Goldin, a veritable all-star team of renowned conjurers, appeared simultaneously in different London theatres. At the same time, Max Malini…
Read More