William W. Larsen, Sr.

William W. Larsen, Sr.
Born	December 31, 1904 Green Bay, Wisconsin
Died	July 5, 1953
Known for	Genii

William Walter Larsen, born and raised in Green Bay, Wisconsin, gave up a practice as a criminal attorney in Pasadena, California to be an entertainer at resort hotels.

Larsen was the founder and editor of Genii magazine with his wife Gerrie Larsen. He also created the idea of a "magician's club" which his two sons William Larsen, Jr. and Milt Larsen eventually brought to life as The Magic Castle. Bill and Milt also created the "It's Magic" stage shows.

J. Mark Hall and Dale Williams were pseudonyms he used when publishing routines in Genii during the 1930s.

Larsen died of a cerebral hemorrhage due to alcoholism.

Publications

• The L.W. Card Mysteries, with T. Page Wright (1928)
• The L.W. Mysteries for Children, with T. Page Wright (1928)
• The L.W. Mental and Spirit Mysteries, with T. Page Wright(1929)
• Magically An Idea or Two (1933)
• Radio and Nite Club Mindreading (with Ormond McGill - 1944)
• Twelve Illusionettes (1946)
• The Mental Mysteries and Other Writings of William W. Larsen Sr. (1977)

References

• Cover Genii 1970 January
• Genii 1998 September (Larsen's Farewell Issue)
• http://www.miraclefactory.net/larsen.htm