by Carrie Eckles

Created on: July 18, 2009

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore was arguably the most important character in the Harry Potter series - perhaps even more so than the Boy Who Lived himself. An intelligent man and competent wizard, his story began in the 1800's; those actions, though the importance remained unknown until the end of the series, shaped Dumbledore's life, as well as the lives of many other characters through direct or indirect influence.

According to author JK Rowling, Dumbledore was born in 1881; his month of birth has been estimated to be either July or August (1), which would, most likely, make his astrological sign Leo. If he was a Leo, it would be very fitting, as Dumbledore was sorted into Gryffindor house upon arrival at Hogwarts in September of 1892; the lion was symbolic to the courageous, loyal, and chivalrous nature of the House of Gryffindor. Dumbledore most certainly possessed all of these traits, which were expressed time and again through many scenes within the series.

A half-blood, Dumbledore was the son of Muggle-born Kendra and a pure blood, Percival Dumbledore. Young Albus Dumbledore's formative years were traumatic. Sometime around the year 1890, his father was imprisoned for attacking a group of Muggles who had previously attacked Albus' younger sister, Ariana (2). This, obviously, had a profound impact upon young Albus, and it can be imagined he must've felt somewhat torn: his mother was Muggle-born, yet his father attacked Muggles. After the incident, Kendra Dumbledore moved her young family to Godric's Hollow.

Dumbledore was exceptionally bright from an early age and excelled at school. One of his many accomplishments during his scholastic career was being head boy (2). He left school in 1899.

During the summer of 1899, Albus Dumbledore became acquainted with Gellert Grindelwald. Grindelwald was the great-nephew of Dumbledore's neighbor Bathilda Bagshot. It was at Godric's Hollow that the friendship and (and implied romance) of Albus and Gellert blossomed. The two boys were passionate about wizard supremacy "for the greater good" (2).

The summer of 1899 was very significant for Dumbledore and was the foundation for his character throughout his life.

Dumbledore's sister, Ariana, never recovered from the psychiatric and emotional scars stemming from her being attacked by Muggles. Ariana, under mental distress, accidentally killed Kendra Dumbledore (2). The exact cause of death was covered up so as to spare Adriana punishment for something

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