Magical Historian

A magical historian is a wizard or witch who specialises in the academic study, research, and documentation of the history of the wizarding world. Their work involves chronicling significant events, societal changes, and key figures throughout magical history. The field is considered a fundamental part of a magical education, with History of Magic being a core subject taught at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Magical historians may work as authors, researchers, or educators. Their expertise covers a vast range of topics, including the great goblin rebellions, giant wars, the founding of magical institutions, the rise and fall of Dark Wizards, and the development of magical laws and culture. The role requires meticulous research skills, often involving the study of ancient texts and artefacts.

The original novels explicitly identify or describe the following individuals as magical historians:

• Bathilda Bagshot: The most celebrated magical historian of the modern era and the author of the definitive textbook, A History of Magic. She was a long-time resident of Godric's Hollow and a contemporary and friend of Albus Dumbledore's family. She was also the great-aunt of the Dark Wizard Gellert Grindelwald. Her extensive knowledge of Dumbledore's early life made her a person of interest to both Rita Skeeter for her biography and Lord Voldemort, who ultimately murdered her to lay a trap for Harry Potter.
• Cuthbert Binns: The Professor of History of Magic at Hogwarts. Professor Binns is a ghost who reportedly died in his sleep in the staff room and simply got up to teach the next day, leaving his body behind. He is known for his incredibly monotonous, droning lectures that focus purely on facts and dates, which most students find profoundly boring. While primarily a teacher, his profession is that of a historian.

The study of history is treated as a vital discipline in the wizarding world, essential for understanding the present political climate, inter-species relations, and the origins of magical traditions. The required status of History of Magic at Hogwarts underscores its importance. However, the profession also carries potential dangers. As demonstrated by the fate of Bathilda Bagshot, a historian's knowledge can be a powerful and sought-after commodity. Her understanding of the connection between Dumbledore and Grindelwald made her a target for Voldemort, who sought to understand the history of the Elder Wand. This illustrates that a historian's work is not merely academic but can intersect with powerful and dangerous contemporary events.

The work of magical historians is primarily preserved and disseminated through books. The most famous example is:

• A History of Magic: Written by Bathilda Bagshot, this book serves as the primary textbook for History of Magic classes at Hogwarts for first-year students and beyond. It covers major historical events up to the end of the 19th century. Other historical texts, such as Hogwarts, A History, also exist, though their authors are not specifically identified as professional historians in the same vein as Bagshot.

• In the film adaptations of the books, the character of Professor Binns is completely omitted. His role in providing exposition, such as explaining the legend of the Chamber of Secrets, is often transferred to other characters like Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick.
• While Bathilda Bagshot is a crucial figure in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, her profession as a historian is what primarily defines her legacy in the wizarding world and sets up her initial importance as a source of information.