Biography

Kenneth Silverman was born on February 5, 1936 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA. He was a writer, known for American Experience (1988), American Masters (1985) and Perspectives (2011). He was married to Sharon Medjuck. He died on July 7, 2017 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA.

Historian, author and professor at NYU, he was also a long-time member of the Society of American Magicians.

He studied English at Columbia University, earning a bachelor's degree, a master's degree and a doctorate.

His parents emigrated to the US during WWI from what is now Lithuania. His father was a plumber and building contractor.

He wrote acclaimed biographies of prominent Americans including Edgar Allan Poe, Samuel F.B. Morse, John Cage and Harry Houdini.