Mungo Bonham

Mungo Bonham (1560 – 1659) was a celebrated Wizard and a famous Healer. His most significant contribution to the Wizarding World was founding St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries, the primary medical institution for witches and wizards in Great Britain. He is remembered as a pioneer in magical healthcare, and his portrait is prominently displayed in the hospital he established.

Little is known about the early life of Mungo Bonham. His life spanned from 1560 to 1659, a period of significant tension between wizards and Muggles. As a highly skilled Healer, Bonham recognized the need for a dedicated, secure institution where magical folk could receive treatment for ailments ranging from Dragon Pox to spell-related injuries, away from the notice of non-magical people. His life's work culminated in the establishment of St Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. After his death, his legacy was immortalized with a portrait that hangs in the hospital's reception area. The plaque beneath it reads: “Mungo Bonham, Healer. Founded St Mungo’s Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. 1560 – 1659.” This plaque was read by Hermione Granger when she, Harry Potter, and the Weasley family visited Arthur Weasley in the hospital after he was attacked by Nagini.

Mungo Bonham's specific physical appearance is not described in the novels. While his portrait hangs in St Mungo's, its details are not elaborated upon. Based on his life's achievement, one can infer that Bonham was a compassionate, dedicated, and highly intelligent wizard. The founding of a major public institution for healing suggests a deep sense of responsibility towards the well-being of the wizarding community.

• Healing Magic: As the founder of St Mungo's and a renowned Healer, Bonham was exceptionally skilled in Healing Magic. He would have possessed a masterful knowledge of spells to mend injuries, cure magical diseases, and counteract Curses.
• Potioneering and Herbology: It is highly probable that Bonham was an expert in both Potions and Herbology, as these disciplines are fundamental to the practice of magical healing.

No specific possessions of Mungo Bonham are mentioned in the original novels. His most enduring possession is his legacy, the hospital itself, and the portrait that honours his memory within its walls.

There is no canonical information regarding Mungo Bonham's family, friends, or other personal relationships.

• The name Mungo is likely a reference to Saint Mungo, the patron saint of Glasgow, Scotland. Saint Mungo is also known as a healer, and one of his famous miracles was restoring life to a robin, which connects directly to the profession of a Healer.
• The surname Bonham may derive from the Old French bon homme, which translates to “good man.” This name fittingly reflects his benevolent role as the founder of a hospital dedicated to saving lives.

• Mungo Bonham is featured on a Famous Wizard Card, a collectible item in the Wizarding World. The card reiterates his role as the founder of St Mungo's. (Famous Wizard Card)
• In the video game adaptations of the series, Mungo Bonham also appears on a Chocolate Frog Card. (video game)
• Mungo Bonham's portrait and the plaque beneath it were not shown or mentioned in the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. (film)