Who was the Wizard of the South?

[JimW]

Hello,
Found a relation on a distant branch of my family tree, Clara Davie, living in Aberdeen (St Nicholas) in the 1861 census. She is with her grandmother Maria Reid. Visiting at the same house is James Reid, aged 32, occupation "Wizard of the South" and Margaret Reid, 35, occupation "Wizard's wife"!
Has anyone heard of them before? Would be grateful for any info!
Jim W.

[mc8]

Brilliant-you really need to put that into the 'most interesting occupation' thread

I wonder if it was the 1861 equivalent of Jedi which featured in the last census?

[dkmcad]

Probably not your "Wizard" but quite close

Eagle, George Barnardo (1806-1858)
English magician billed as "The Royal Wizard of the South". Also toured as Barnardo and Na Barno. Rival and imitator of John Henry Anderson, he published Barnardo's Handbook of Magic in 1846. A copy of a Barnardo Eagle playbill can be seen on page 63 of Magic: A Pictorial History of Conjurers in the Theater. Father of magicienne Georgiana Eagle.
Eagle, Georgiana Elizabeth (1834-1911)
English female magician, daughter of magician George Barnardo Eagle. Most famous for her second-sight act. Billed herself from 1841-46 as "The Mysterious Lady" and from 1872-86 as "Gilliland Card", Gilliland being her married name.


Anderson, John Henry (1814-1874)
One of the best magic showmen in history, this Scotsman billed himself as The Wizard of the North. Anderson was a very good magician (his specialty was the Bullet Catch) and an outstanding show promoter. He toured internationally with a very elaborate stage show. His broadsides are very collectible today. He is the subject of numerous biographies, including The Great Wizard of the North by Constance Pole Bayer, a descendant of this remarkable magic personality.

http://www.magictricks.com/bios/whoswhoefg.htm

Could James have taken over where George "left off"

Cheers,   Dorothy

[JimW]

Thanks for your suggestions, folks. I found out that John Henry Anderson "Wizard of the North" was from Aberdeen, this guy was born in Kirkudbrightshire and staying in Aberdeen, so maybe that's why he referred to himself as "of the South".

Still wanting more info if anyone can help!
I like a good wizardry story - Watch out JK Rowling and Harry Potter!

Jim W.

[Grothenwell]

Sorry nothing on the wizard of the "south", but this article on the Wot "North" might be of interest
http://www.leopardmag.co.uk/feats/96/John-anderson-wizard-of-the-north