Howard Thurston
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Howard Thurston (July 20, 1869 – April 13, 1936) was a world famous stage magician. He had the largest traveling Vaudeville magic show for the time, requiring more than eight entire train cars to transport his props across the country. He is still famous for his work with playing cards. He called himself the King of Cards. One of his most famous effects was the "Rising Card". In 1908, he took over the Thurston-Kellar Show, following the retirement of Harry Kellar. It is said that Kellar considered only Thurston to be worthy of succeeding him. Thurston died 27 years later from a stroke. He is interred at Green Lawn Abbey, a mausoleum in Columbus, Ohio.
[edit] Trivia
Thurston is mentioned and appears briefly in Glen David Gold's novel "Carter Beats the Devil", concerning fellow stage magician Charles J. Carter and the Golden Age of magic in America.
Thurston is quoted as a subject matter expert in Dale Carnegie's book "How to Win Friends and Influence People." He appears in Part Two, Chapter One ("Do This and You'll Be Welcome Anywhere").
