# The Davenports — The Humbugs of the World character guide

> The Davenports in The Humbugs of the World by P. T. Barnum.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0015-x

## Who they are

Spiritualist mediums who performed fake spirit manifestations.

## Relationships

### [Mr. Addison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/mr_addison)

_professional_

Mr. Addison likely manages or collaborates with The Davenports in a theatrical or performance context.

### [Mr. Addison](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/mr_addison)

_professional_

Mr. Addison likely manages or collaborates with The Davenports in a theatrical or performance context.

## In the story

### [Part II: The Spiritualists](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters/part-ii-the-spiritualists)

Spiritualist mediums whose tricks were exposed by Mr. Addison.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters/ix)

The Davenport Brothers are the central subjects of the chapter, exposed as fraudulent mediums who used tricks like stuffed gloves and rope manipulation to simulate spirit manifestations.

### [Banner of Light — Messages from the dead — Spiritual civilities — Spirit "hollering" — Hans von Vleet, the female Dutchman — Mrs. Conant's "circles" — Paine's table-tipping humbug exposed.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters/xv)

Mentioned as mediums previously detected in imposture by the same investigators who exposed Paine.

### [Spiritualist Humbugs Waking Up](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters/xvi)

Exposed by a sea-captain's wheat flour trick and later in Liverpool where their cabinet was smashed.

### [Haunted Houses, Ghosts, and Superstitions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/chapters/xxxv)

Mentioned in connection with the Woodstock ghosts throwing dishes about, like the Davenport 'spirits'.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters/the_davenports
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_humbugs_of_the_world_se/characters