The Herrmann family name is known as the 'first-family of magic'. Alexander's father Samuel, a practicing German physician, was the first to enjoy magic as a hobby. Samuel's first son Carl (Compars), was born in 1816, and was the first in the family to make magic his profession. Alexander, who was 27 years younger than his brother Carl, also became a magician and was finally announced as Carl's successor-to-be in New York in 1869. After Carl's death in 1887, Alexander continued with the profession until his own death in 1896. The Herrmann name continued as Alexander's wife Adelaide became the first woman to win notable fame as a magician. Alexander's nephew Leon had accompanied Adelaide, adding another 'Herrmann' name to the magical family tree.