conjuror

A conjuror, also spelled conjurer, is a performer who presents magic tricks designed to astonish audiences. The craft typically combines sleight of hand, misdirection, and carefully engineered props or devices. In contemporary usage, the terms conjurer, magician, and illusionist are often used interchangeably, though some performers prefer to emphasize the art of conjuring itself as distinct from broader stage illusions or mentalism.

Etymology and scope: The term conjuror derives from the French conjureur, from Latin conjurare, meaning to swear together or to conspire, and historically it has been connected with both the practice of conjuring spirits and the performance of magical tricks. In modern contexts, it refers to performers who create illusions through skill, psychology, and apparatus rather than supernatural powers.

History: Conjuring traditions extend from early street performances to formal theater stages. By the 18th and 19th centuries, professional conjurors gained prominence, developing standardized tricks and presenting them as entertainment. Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin, a French performer of the 19th century, is often credited with shaping modern stage magic by elevating it to a refined theater art. Throughout the 20th century, conjurors expanded into close-up magic, large-scale stage illusions, and new forms such as mentalism, while retaining core techniques of misdirection and dexterity.

Practice and ethics: A conjuror employs a combination of dexterity, psychology, timing, and audience management. Ethical performers avoid real deception about supernatural powers and emphasize transparency about illusion as entertainment, safety, and consent in all interactions with the audience.

Notable practitioners: Historically influential figures include Robert-Houdin; later entertainers such as Harry Kellar, Howard Thurston, and Harry Blackstone Sr. In contemporary magic, many artists perform as conjurors, magicians, or illusionists across live venues and media.