NewsWPLG Local 10October 31, 2026Miami-Dade County
Harry Houdini's centennial marked by new essay publication, book on death, and global events
Photo: WPLG Local 10
A century after Harry Houdini's death, a newly published essay by the escape artist and a recent book challenging the official cause and date of his passing have been released amid numerous centennial commemorative events worldwide. The developments highlight ongoing debates over his legacy, his extensive personal library, and the exact circumstances surrounding his death at Detroit's Grace Hospital on Halloween in 1926.
Read the full story at WPLG Local 10Why It Matters
The publication of previously unreleased writings and medical research revives a century-old historical debate regarding the exact date and cause of death of a prominent cultural figure, while driving ongoing memorabilia auctions and public events in multiple cities.
Key Facts
- Harry Houdini's rare essay 'An Interesting Scrapbook' has been published for the first time in The Strand Magazine.
- A recent book titled 'Houdini: The Man Who Died Twice' by Larrian Gillespie challenges the official cause and date of Houdini's death.
- Gillespie argues that Houdini died on October 30, 1926, rather than October 31, due to intestinal blockage caused by eating vegetables and sour cream while recovering from surgery.
- Historical records state Houdini officially died on October 31, 1926, from diffuse peritonitis following appendicitis.
- No autopsy was performed at the time of Houdini's death, fueling decades of alternate theories regarding his demise.
- Centennial events include a 'Grand Houdini Centenarium' in Budapest, a memorabilia auction in Hollywood, California, and seances in Chicago and Frederick, Maryland.
- Houdini was born Erik Weisz in 1874 to a rabbi's family that emigrated to the U.S. from Austria-Hungary.
- Houdini's personal audio archive was purchased by magician David Copperfield, and his personal library was the subject of a September book by Eric Colleary.
- Scholars such as Bruce Averbook and John Cox have expressed skepticism regarding Gillespie's claims that the death date was intentionally altered to land on Halloween.
- Houdini's great-nephew, George Hardeen, stated he finds Gillespie's book convincing and persuasive.
Who's Mentioned
PersonGeorge Hardeen“Great-nephew of Harry Houdini”otherFrederick“Maryland city hosting seances”OrganizationWild About Harry Press“Houdini publishing imprint founded by John Cox”OrganizationKirkus“Book industry publication that reviewed Gillespie's book”OrganizationHarry Ransom Center“Institution at The University of Texas at Austin”otherMontreal“Location where a student reportedly punched Houdini in the stomach”otherBudapest“Hometown of Houdini hosting a centennial event”PersonKin Hubbard“Cartoonist who shared playbills with Houdini”PersonH.J. Sargent“19th-century entertainer and magician”PersonJohn Cox“Houdini blogger and founder of Wild About Harry Press”PersonEdith Wharton“Author whose rare works were previously published by The Strand Magazine”PersonBruce Averbook“Houdini scholar and skeptic of Gillespie's findings”OrganizationUniversity of Michigan“Institution where Matthew Solomon serves as a film history professor”OrganizationThe Associated Press“News organization that interviewed Hardeen, Averbook, and Cox”otherHollywood“California city hosting a memorabilia auction”PersonHarry Houdini“Iconic escape artist and subject of centennial publications and events”otherGrace Hospital“Detroit hospital where Houdini died”OrganizationThe Strand Magazine“Publication that released Houdini's rare essay 'An Interesting Scrapbook'”PersonLarrian Gillespie“Author of 'Houdini: The Man Who Died Twice' and forensic medical researcher”otherMachpelah Cemetery“New York City burial site of Houdini”otherNew York City“Location of Machpelah Cemetery and AP dateline”PersonMark Twain“Author whose rare works were previously published by The Strand Magazine”PersonEric Colleary“Curator of Theatre and Performing Arts at the Harry Ransom Center”otherDetroit“City where Grace Hospital was located”PersonDavid Copperfield“Magician who purchased Houdini's audio archive”otherChicago“City hosting seances for the centennial”PersonRobert Heller“19th-century entertainer and magician”otherThe University of Texas at Austin“University housing the Harry Ransom Center”PersonMatthew Solomon“Film history professor at the University of Michigan and author”