Richard Potter (magician)

Richard Potter (1783–1835) was an American 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

• 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