Famous British Wizards

Chapter 23

Throughout the course of history, there have been a few individuals who have particularly stepped up and were recognized for their contribution to wizard kind. They have created something that will benefit future generations of wizards, or have sparked controversy that led to a possible shift in the decision-making process. These wizards are to be honored for they spent their lives shaping and re-forming wizarding society into what we see today.

There are a total of 593 brilliant British wizards honoured in the British Hall of Fame located in the Museum of Magic, Oxford. They have made a significant contribution in a variety of ways, ranging from the invention of the self-stirring cauldron, to the revision of Magical Rights and Privileges. Noted wizards who are considered experts in their line of work are honoured with the Order of Merlin. A dinner banquet is held at the end of each year to recognize new and rising personalities, and to unveil their painting in the British Hall of Fame. Paintings of their likeness are also often hung in institutions where they once held office. 

Muggle Relations: Sir Nicholas Weasley

Sir Weasley is an avid Muggle supporter and confidante to the reigning Muggle monarch. He was born in Linconshire in 1901. He was born a pureblood and was part of the only wizarding family in a Muggle community. At the time, pureblood fanaticism was just a rumour, and his parents allowed him to mingle with the Muggle children before he began studying at Hogwarts. His friendship with Muggles lasted even as he spent his seven years at Hogwarts. Every summer, he would return and immerse himself in the Muggle way of life. He took up classes in Circuitry, the use of wires to transfer ‘electricity’, and Car Repair, to learn how to mend a certain form of Muggle contraption used for travelling. He also studied Muggle Law and took up courses at Oxford University where he received a degree in Legal Management. At the time, Muggle relations were kept to a minimum, owing to the fact that Muggles considered wizards to be dodgy characters. Upon his graduation, Sir Weasley served as an advocate for Muggle relations as well as Muggle-born wizard equality; wizards from Muggle families were considered a lower class to the purebloods. Rallies and picket lines swept the country and he was often charged and imprisoned for his cause. In 1954, a bill was passed that allowed all Muggle-born wizards to be granted the same rights as pureblood wizards. An office was set up in the Ministry of Magic to cater to all forms of Muggle-related activities including: Muggle relations to the Prime Minister, Misuse of Muggle Artefacts, Muggle-worthy Excuse Committee and the like.

Sir Weasley is also a very famous horticulturist in the Muggle world. His contributions are often found unbelievable by many, but his extensive knowledge in plant care has earned him the right to visit the Royal gardens as he wishes. He was knighted in 1960 following his brave act of rescuing Queen Elizabeth II from a very nasty encounter with the Devil’s Snare plant. He was also awarded the Order of Merlin First Class.

He currently consults for the Ministry of Magic Muggle Relations division. He is the Director of the Wizard Herbologist Society and a speaker at many Muggle conventions. He still resides in Linconshire within an unplottable area surrounded by a forest of Bubotubers. 

Beasts and Beings: Newton Artemis Fido Scamander

‘Newt’ Scamander is a very influential wizard in the field of beast research. A graduate of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Mr. Scamander was already showing promise in the subject Care For Magical Creatures at a young age. He excelled greatly in his N.E.W.T. exams (perhaps because it shares the same letters as his nickname) which gave him the opportunity to work for the Department for the Control and Regulation of Magical Creatures. During his stay in the Ministry, he created the Werewolf Register Act in 1947, and the Ban on Experimental Breeding Act in 1965.  He used his contacts and experience during his stay in the department as his references for the creation of his famous book Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find It, currently in its fifty-second edition. Mr. Scamander also takes frequent trips abroad to hone his knowledge of magical beasts. He was awarded the Order of Merlin, Second Class in 1979.

Arts and Letters: Leonard Mauricio Ogden

A brilliant artist skilled in the use of the Tripophone, Mr. Ogden ensured that the magic of music never left the hearts of wizards. As lead Tripophone player of the hot band sensation Three’s a Crowded Inn, Mr. Ogden and his band members created music that spoke of life experiences. His influence began during the mid-1920s at the same time that wizards began obsessing over the power that wands were able to produce. Three’s a Crowded Inn produced songs that spoke of socio-political issues such as ‘Let the Mudblood Do His Stuff’, which gave very explicit details regarding the social statuses of Muggle-born wizards. Their songs often sparked controversy, especially from parents of impressionable children who considered their music ‘a doppelganger of the dark arts’. The band was forced into hiding when a group of wizards declared that they would hex them during their next public appearance.

Mr. Ogden can currently be found discussing social issues and writing songs independently. His wireless show “The Word of the Owl” is a highly acclaimed segment on independent news correspondence. Mr. Ogden has no home because even now the parents who objected to his music- who probably have grandchildren by now- still hold a vendetta against him. You can catch him on the wireless whenever a controversy sparks. His most recent episode was about the sacking of Cornelius Fudge, which he favoured greatly. 

Defence Against the Dark Arts: Augusta Peverell

She is the tenth generation of a great wizarding family: the Peverells. She is a direct descendant of Ignotus Peverell, one of the first occupants of the wizard community of Godric’s Hollow. 

This surname is often associated with the classic ‘The Tale of the Three Brothers’ by Beedle the Bard. Ignotus is thought to be the brother who asks for a Cloak of Invisibility from Death. Augusta Peverell, along with her strong line of ancestors has been fighting the Dark Arts from the very beginning. Little is known about the Peverell family, except that their lineage has produced many great wizards who fought against the Dark Arts. Paradoxically, Lord Voldemort’s lineage may also be traced back to the Peverells. Augusta is famous for ridding the Forest of Dean of a large group of Dementors. Her actions, however dangerous at a time when the Patronus spell has yet to be invented, are honoured by the wizards in the area who suffered from long-term depression. A statue in her likeness was built deep in the forest and has become a travel destination for tourists.

If you trace Augusta’s ancestry, you will see that her descendants include James Potter, member of the Order of the Phoenix, and his son Harry Potter, the Boy who Lived.

Education: Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore

Also known as Professor Dumbledore, a man well-loved by students, staff members and political figures alike throughout Britain. The eldest son of Percival and Kendra Dumbledore, his life would shine with all the fame and success any wizard can dream of before being tarnished by an ugly past.

Dumbledore was born in Mould-on-the-Wold in 1881 but later moved to Godric’s Hollow after a tragic accident involving his younger sister Ariana and the imprisonment of his father. A gifted Gryffindor, he was rewarded for his wit and dedication by winning the Barnabus Finkely Prize for Exceptional Spell-Casting in his 7th year. He also became the British Youth Representative to the Wizengamot, and received the gold medal for Ground-Breaking Contribution to the International Alchemical Conference in Cairo.

Dumbledore’s secret anti-Muggle sentiments were unleashed after meeting the wizard Grindelwald. However, due to a disagreement with Gridelwald which lead to a duel that killed his beloved sister Ariana, his sentiments changed and he stopped speaking to Grindelwald.  He would not see him again until their later duel in 1945 at Grindelwald’s height of power.  Dumbledore came out victorious, earning more admirers and opportunities for power.

He was asked to succeed as Minister of Magic several times during his lifetime but declined them all. He was a modest man and preferred to teach Transfiguration at Hogwarts, although he soon became Headmaster (a post he held at the time of the 1st and 2nd Wizarding Wars). He was the founder of the Order of the Phoenix, a society that rallied and fought against the dark forces headed by He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. The Order was a rallying point for all who opposed the Dark Arts.

Dumbledore often made acquaintances with very prominent wizards and witches throughout his life. He worked on alchemy with renowned alchemist Nicolas Flamel, discussed history with Bathilda Bagshot, and astounded Griselda Marchbanks with his extraordinary wand work.

Dumbledore served as Supreme Mugwump of the International Confederation of Wizards, and as Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot at various points in his life. He also discovered the Twelve Uses of Dragon’s Blood. He is a fan of chamber music and ten pin bowling as stated on the Dumbledore collectible card found in packs of Chocolate Frogs. 

For full details on his life and his advocacies, refer to Hogwarts, A History.