Houdini’s centennial spotlight: A newly published essay and a fresh fight over when and how he died

A century after his demise, Harry Houdini continues to be a subject of intrigue and debate. A newly published essay sheds light on the life of the renowned escape artist, while a recent book delves into the enigma surrounding his death at Detroit's Grace Hospital. Other centennial publications include a Houdini coloring book and an overview of his extensive personal library.

Centennial events are being held worldwide, from a "Grand Houdini Centenarium" in Budapest to an auction of memorabilia in Hollywood, California, and even seances in cities he visited such as Chicago and Frederick, Maryland. Houdini's burial site in New York City has become a Halloween tradition.

Despite his iconic status, many people cannot identify Houdini, pinpoint his exact lifespan, or describe his performances. Yet, to those familiar with him, he embodies the essence of magic, the ability to accomplish the impossible, or escape from seemingly inescapable situations. According to Matthew Solomon, a film history professor at the University of Michigan and author of "Disappearing Tricks," Houdini is the embodiment of the self-made man and the success story of an immigrant.

In "An Interesting Scrapbook," Houdini pays tribute to magicians who came before him and expresses his regret that their stories are not well-known. Inspired by playbills shared by cartoonist Kin Hubbard, Houdini sought out information about early American magicians, lamenting the lack of recognition for their contributions. Eric Colleary, the author of "Houdini's Library," notes that Houdini was deeply interested in other magicians, even visiting their graves and paying to maintain them.

Houdini, born Erik Weisz in 1874, was the son of a rabbi whose family emigrated to the U.S. to escape antisemitism in Austria-Hungary. By his teens, he was already a professional magician and by age 30, an international celebrity. Known for his incredible ability to escape from handcuffs, shackles, and other restraints, Houdini was also an author, a movie actor, and a spoken word recording artist.

His death on Halloween, October 31, 1926, from diffuse peritonitis after being hospitalized with appendicitis, has been the subject of much speculation and controversy. Some believe he was poisoned by a group of circus performers, while others contend that a doctor's decision to allow Houdini to eat vegetables and sour cream post-surgery led to his death.

Forensic medical researcher Larrian Gillespie argues that Houdini actually died on October 30 due to intestinal blockage, and cites conflicting records and documents to support her claim.