Richard Potter (magician)

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Richard Potter (1783-1835) was a magician, hypnotist and ventriloquist. Potter was born in Hopkinton, Massachusetts;^[1] his father was a British tax collector and his mother a black servant.^[2] He became a well-known magician in the New England area. He eventually performed up and down the east coast, going as far south as Alabama. One of Potter's notable run-ins with prejudice occurred in Mobile, Alabama. Despite this issue, Potter still made over $4000 during his visit.^[3] Richard Potter was the first African-American magician and the first American-born magician to gain fame in his own country. Later in life he moved to New Hampshire and purchased a large amount of land. The village of Potter Place where he lived was named after him.^[4]

Potter inspired Grace Metalious's character Samuel Peyton in the novel Peyton Place.

References

↑ "History of the Town of Andover New Hampshire" Prepared by John R. Eastman, 1910.
↑ Illustrated History of Magic, pg. 63
↑ Magic: A Pictorial History, pg. 52
↑ Illustrated History of Magic, pg 65

The Illustrated History of Magic, by Milbourne Christopher, 1973. ISBN 0-690-43165-1
MAGIC A Pictorial History, by David Price, 1985 ISBN 0-8453-4738-1
History of the Town of Andover New Hampshire, 1791-1906. Prepared by John R. Eastman. Concord nh:Rumford Printing Company, 1910== External links ==
Online History of Richard Potter and Potter Place, New Hampshire

Persondata
Name	Potter, Richard
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	1783
Place of birth
Date of death	1835
Place of death

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