Harry Houdini was a famous MAGICIAN and escape artist who lived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He was renowned for his daring and often dangerous stunts, such as escaping from handcuffs, straitjackets, and locked boxes. He also performed illusions and other magic tricks, such as making objects appear and disappear. His legacy lives on today, and he is still considered one of the greatest magicians of all time.