Professor Harry Woodley - A Titanic Magician

[PhilMorris1982]

I am the great grandson of Professor Harry Woodley, a famous escapologist and magician from Southampton. I have recently received an old copy of The Magic Circles magazine "The Magic Circular" with Prof Woodley and the Titanic on the cover titled "The Titanic Magician". The story details how Harry was due to work on the Titanic (he was a shipright by trade, and his father specialised in making boilers for boats but I don't really know the circumstance's) however my Great Grandmother put her foot down and demanded he stay home as they had only recently been married. Professor Harry Woodley went on to hold a seance in Southampton to raise money for the disaster relief fund and continue his work as a magician and escapologist. Was the Titanic his greatest escape? Does anyone know or have record of this?
Phil

 

[Brian Cowan]

Hello, this sounds an interesting story. Can you let me know which copy of the Magic Circular this was in?
(Month and year will suffice.) I did a quick google and came across a picture of Professor Woodley in a group shot with Houdini.

Brian Cowan

 

[Encyclopedia Titanica]

Houdini and the Wizards of the South

A remarkable photo postcard showing a dapper Houdini posing with members of the Associated Wizards of the South (AWS) sold on eBay today for $470.93.

www.wildabouthoudini.com

 

[Anna Pither]

I am the great grandson of Professor Harry Woodley, a famous escapologist and magician from Southampton...

Hello Phil, I believe I am the great niece of Harry Woodley. My grandfather Percy Woodley was related to him, my mother was Peggy Hettie Woodley. I grew up in Kenya and family the English history is not very clear as she died when I was 11. I think Percy would have been his brother. This is an amazing discovery and I am very excited. I remember his house in the New Forest was called the Magic Cabin. There was also a Great Aunt Rose. Regards Anna Pither.

 

[yew2500]

I am the great grandson of Professor Harry Woodley, a famous escapologist and magician from Southampton. I have recently received an old copy of The Magic Circles magazine "The Magic Circular" with Prof Woodley and the Titanic on the cover titled "The Titanic Magician". The story details how Harry was due to work on the Titanic (he was a shipright by trade, and his father specialised in making boilers for boats but I don't really know the circumstance's) however my Great Grandmother put her foot down and demanded he stay home as they had only recently been married. Professor Harry Woodley went on to hold a seance in Southampton to raise money for the disaster relief fund and continue his work as a magician and escapologist. Was the Titanic his greatest escape? Does anyone know or have record of this?
Phil

Hi Phil
I knew Professor woodley well and he came to our house every Xmas eve and did a free show for us. You must be related to the Bentons.
It is interesting to learn more about him. I remember him saying that he was in the welcome party that greeted Houdini at Southampton docks.
Edward

 

[A1982]

Hi there, I am the great granddaughter of professor Woodley. My grandma, Audrey Benton was his daughter. I never got to meet him as he died before I was born but he was legendary in our family. I grew up hearing about lots of his antics with magic and Punch and Judy shows. It’s lovely to see some other family members on here! I have heard lots about the Morris family from my grandmother. The story of him being told by his new wife not to go on the Titanic is the exact story my grandmother told me.

Alexa