William E Robinson

Born in 1861 in New York, William Ellsworth Robinson's affinity for magic began at an early age and led to a unique career as both an assistant and a performer. After a visit to Europe introduced him to Black Art, he brought it back to America and began creating unique illusions on the vaudeville circuit as "The Man of Mystery." He soon attracted the attention of America's two greatest magicians-Alexander Herrmann and Harry Kellar. Robinson developed complex illusions for both before eventually...See more

Born in 1861 in New York, William Ellsworth Robinson's affinity for magic began at an early age and led to a unique career as both an assistant and a performer. After a visit to Europe introduced him to Black Art, he brought it back to America and began creating unique illusions on the vaudeville circuit as "The Man of Mystery." He soon attracted the attention of America's two greatest magicians-Alexander Herrmann and Harry Kellar. Robinson developed complex illusions for both before eventually finding success on his own as Chung Ling Soo, the Marvelous Chinese Conjuror. This act remained popular for years, until 1918, when his attempt to catch a bullet on stage failed-because a real bullet had been fired. His final words were, "Oh my God. Something's happened. Lower the curtain." Robinson's death was ruled "accidental." See less