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Robert Heller (1829 - 1878) was an English magician, mentalist, and musician. The year of his birth is the subject of some speculation; some sources list it as 1829 while others claim 1830.

Robert Heller

As the son of a famous concert pianist, Heller began his life as a musician studying at the Royal Academy of Music. After becoming fascinated with magic at age 14, Heller began copying his idol Jean Eugene Robert-Houdin, from whom he adopted his first name. Heller left his scholarship at the academy to become a professional magician. He rented the Strand Theatre in London in 1851 in order to launch his career. At this time he also took the stage name of Robert Heller.

In 1852 he left the port in Liverpool England and arrived in New York on September 6th aboard a ship called the Arctic. Heller's magic career in the began in New York City.

Heller introduces his second sight routine to North America, which some would refer to as 'Hellerism'. He is assisted by 'Ernest Heller' in the Second Sight routine, who is introduced as his brother but is actually M.H. Levett, a native New Yorker.

Giving up magic for the time being, he settles in Washington, D.C. to become a music teacher. Heller married one of his pupils, the daughter of a wealthy Washington resident and would eventually return to New York.

By 1861, just as the American Civil War was starting, he decides to try his magic act again. He meets Edward P. Hingston who is the manager for Artemus Ward and other acts. Hingston convinces Heller to basically 'lighten up' his act and may have also been the one to encourage him to add his music to the show. He starts doing a three part show which he refers to as Magic, Music and Mirth.

By 1865, as the American Civil War was ending, Heller was giving his performance of music and magic with some comedy, at the Salle Diabolique, a former French Theatre at 585 Broadway. It was one of the longest-running one-man shows in the history of New York theater at the time. Heller became nationally famous when he went on tour in 1869 for the next 6 years throughout much of the United States, Great Britain, Europe, and Asia.

Heller's success prompted fellow magician Harry Kellar to change the spelling his name as to avoid the impression that he was copying Heller.

Heller was famous for several innovations, especially the trick known as "the Second Sight Mystery." In this, the magician's assistant stands in the audience selecting people. The magician on stage tells them what they are holding (concealed from him), as if by magic.

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