author
Henry Ridgely Evans
1861–1949
A journalist turned historian of illusion, this Baltimore-born writer helped preserve the stories, methods, and folklore of magic for future generations. His books mix curiosity, skepticism, and a genuine love of performance.
2 Audiobooks
Hours with the Ghosts or, Nineteenth Century Witchcraft Illustrated Investigations into the Phenomena of Spiritualism and Theosophy
by Henry Ridgely Evans
The Old and the New Magic
by Henry Ridgely Evans
About the author
Henry Ridgely Evans was an American journalist, amateur magician, and writer born in 1861 and died in 1949. He is best remembered for books on conjuring and the history of magic, including The Old and the New Magic and History of Conjuring and Magic, works that helped document performers, stage illusions, and the wider culture around magic.
Alongside his interest in performance, he also wrote on spiritualism, unusual beliefs, and historical subjects. That mix gave his work a distinctive voice: he was fascinated by mystery, but also liked to investigate how supposedly supernatural claims could be explained.
Because he wrote as both an enthusiast and a careful observer, his books remain of interest to readers who enjoy stage magic, popular entertainment, and the long history of wonder on and off the stage.