Davenport brothers biography

American magicians in the late 19th century

Ira Erastus Davenport (September 17, 1839 – July 8, 1911)^[1] and William Henry Davenport (February 1, 1841 – July 1, 1877),^[1] known as the Davenport brothers, were American magicians in the late 19th century, sons of a Buffalo, New York policeman.

The brothers presented illusions that they and others claimed to be supernatural.

Career

The Davenports began in 1854, less than a decade after Spiritualism had taken off in America. After stories of the Fox sisters, the Davenports started reporting similar occurrences.^[2]: 53 Their father took up managing his sons and the group was joined by William Fay, a Buffalo resident with an interest in conjuring.^[2]: 53 Their shows were introduced by a former "Restoration Movement" minister, Dr.

J. B. Ferguson, a follower of Spiritualism, who assured the audience that the brothers worked by