Sunday, November 27, 2022

Helen Keller on Houdini


Like Houdini, Helen Keller is one of those remarkable figures in American history that every grade schooler learns about. Rendered deaf, dumb, and blind by illness at 19 months, she was miraculously educated by her famous teacher, Anne Sullivan, and grew up to became a prolific writer, disability rights advocate, and lecturer. Like Houdini, her inspirational life story has been told in many books, plays, and movies.

That's why finding the below was such a treat. This appeared in the Buffalo Evening News shortly after Houdini's death. I'll let Helen speak for herself.

Buffalo Evening News, Nov. 8, 1926.

One of those times Helen would have experienced a Houdini performance was at the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Fransisco. As you can see below, Houdini and Keller were featured attractions on November 6th.


Today you can always find Houdini and Helen sharing a bookshelf.


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5 comments:

  1. Leo HeviaNovember 27, 2022 at 10:51 AM

    I didn't know HH did the Overboard Box Escape in Frisco. It seemed like a New York thing to me. Must have been during a 1915 West Coast tour. Amazing that Keller was highly articulate in her writing.

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    1. John CoxNovember 27, 2022 at 11:21 AM

      You can click the top related link for a bit more info and a pic.

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  2. Lisa CousinsNovember 28, 2022 at 8:54 AM

    It's been many years since I read the obligatory Helen Keller grade school biography, but I don't believe she was born deaf, dumb, and blind. It happened as a result of an illness around age two, as I recall.

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    1. John CoxNovember 28, 2022 at 10:43 AM

      Ah yes. Thank you Lisa. 19 months. I've corrected. :)

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  3. AndreaDecember 4, 2022 at 7:47 PM

    The illness was scarlet fever...she may have been older because she did have a memory of sight and hearing as well.

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