Cornelius Agrippa

Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa was a celebrated, historical wizard famous enough to be featured on a Chocolate Frog Card. His primary significance in the series is as a collectible figure, establishing the culture and hobbies of the wizarding world through the conversation between Harry Potter and Ron Weasley during their first journey aboard the Hogwarts Express.

While Agrippa is mentioned by name in the novels, his life story is not detailed within the primary canon. He is established as a historical figure known to the wizarding community. His real-world counterpart, Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa (1486–1535), was a German polymath, physician, legal scholar, soldier, theologian, and occult writer, well-known for his works on magic and alchemy. It is from this historical figure that the wizard in the series is derived. According to a Chocolate Frog Card, Agrippa was a celebrated wizard author whose Muggle-published books were viewed with suspicion, leading to his imprisonment for witchcraft (Pottermore).

Agrippa's physical appearance and personality are not described in the seven original novels. His depiction on the Chocolate Frog Card in the Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone video game shows him as a man with dark hair and a beard, consistent with portraits of his historical counterpart (video game).

Specific magical abilities are not mentioned in the books. However, his inclusion on a Chocolate Frog Card alongside other legendary figures like Albus Dumbledore and Merlin strongly implies that he was a highly powerful and influential wizard. His historical reputation as an occultist and alchemist suggests he likely possessed considerable skill in fields such as Potions, Alchemy, and Charms.

• Chocolate Frog Card: Agrippa is not known to have owned any specific items mentioned in the novels. His primary association is with the Chocolate Frog Card that bears his image and a brief biography. In 1991, this was one of the cards that Ron Weasley still needed for his collection.

No relationships with other characters are mentioned in the books. He is known only as a historical figure.

The name is taken directly from the real historical figure, Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa.

• Cornelius: A Roman clan name, possibly derived from the Latin cornu, meaning “horn.”
• Agrippa: A Roman cognomen of uncertain origin, famously borne by Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, a close friend and general of the emperor Augustus.

• Agrippa, along with Ptolemy, is one of the first famous wizards mentioned in the series whose Chocolate Frog Card Ron Weasley is missing, highlighting this wizarding pastime.
• The official Wizarding World website and licensed merchandise confirm his first name as Heinrich, solidifying his identity as the historical figure (Pottermore).
• In the Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone video game, the Cornelius Agrippa Chocolate Frog Card is one of the collectible items the player can find (video game).
• J.K. Rowling's use of a real historical figure like Agrippa serves to blend the magical world with real-world history, giving the wizarding community a deeper, more tangible past.