Albus Dumbledore

The Great Headmaster of Hogwarts

Headmaster of Hogwarts and the greatest wizard of the 20th century. Defeated the dark wizard Grindelwald in a duel and was the only being Voldemort feared.

Quotes

  • Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.
  • Death is not the end. Rather, it is a new beginning.
  • True strength comes from kindness and mercy.
  • Like a phoenix, rise again.
  • Love is an impossibly powerful force.

Trivia

  • Dumbledore's name means 'bumblebee' in Devon dialect.
  • According to the original author, Dumbledore is gay and was in love with Grindelwald.
  • He devised a plan using Snape for his own death.
  • The password to the Hogwarts headmaster's office is always a candy name.
  • Provided two phoenix tail feather wand cores to Garrick Ollivander.
  • The only wizard Voldemort both feared and respected while confronting.

Alternate names

Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore Headmaster Dumbledore

Tags

Harry Potter wizard Hogwarts headmaster Order of the Phoenix Elder Wand Horcrux gay legendary wizard

Find Albus Dumbledore goods

Profile

Species
Wizard (half-blood)
Gender
Male
Birthday
Summer 1881
Birth year
1881

Appearance

Overall appearance
Tall with silver hair; long beard and hair are characteristic features. His eyes are twinkling blue, and he wears half-moon spectacles. He has a scar on his left knee shaped like the London Underground map.
Height
Approximately 188cm
Eye color
Blue
Hair color
Silver
Distinguishing features
  • long beard
  • half-moon spectacles
  • scar on left knee shaped like the Underground map
Iconic items
  • Elder Wand
  • Fawkes (phoenix)
  • Invisibility Cloak
  • Deluminator
  • Pensieve

Personality and abilities

Core personality
strategist
Detailed personality
Playful and kindly grandfatherly figure on one hand, and a cold-hearted strategist on the other. He does not hesitate to sacrifice himself, is kind to those around him, and extends a helping hand to many. He deeply regrets his sister's death and remained single for life due to that self-blame. He values rehabilitation over condemnation and has the depth to accept those who repent their mistakes. He is sentimental, but can also make cold decisions for the greater good.
Keywords
  • kindness
  • ruthless
  • playfulness
  • strategist
  • compassion
  • insight
  • self-sacrifice
  • linguistic ability
Motto
We must forgive mistakes, but not forget them.
Talents
  • master wizard
  • excellent insight
  • advanced linguistic ability
  • alchemy
  • strategic planning
  • powerful magical defense
Skills
  • advanced spellcasting
  • defensive magic against dark arts
  • Horcrux analysis
  • investigation via memory playback
  • educational guidance
Motivation
To protect the world from dark wizards and believe in the power of love.
Habits
The password to the headmaster's office is always a type of candy. Dislikes Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans.
Favorite foods
Muggle sweets, raspberry jam, sherbet lemon
Hobbies
chamber music, bowling, literature, alchemy, thick woolen socks
Disliked foods
Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans (especially vomit and earwax flavors)

History

Backstory
Born in summer 1881 as the eldest son of the wizard Dumbledore family. The magical outburst incident involving his young sister Ariana and her death due to youthful ambitions with Grindelwald deeply shook his life. At Hogwarts, he was a model Gryffindor student, excelling in academics and magic. After becoming a teacher, he became headmaster around the 1920s. Simultaneously, he defeated the dark wizard Grindelwald in a duel, becoming known as the strongest wizard. Later, he confronted Voldemort's threat, pursued the mystery of Horcruxes, but ended his machinations with his own death in summer 1996.
Debut date
June 26, 1997
Work title
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
Media type
Novel

Sister Ariana's death

Significant event
Sister Ariana's death
Description
His sister became involved and died as a result of his and Grindelwald's ambitions.

Duel with Grindelwald

Significant event
Duel with Grindelwald
Description
Defeated him in 1945 and earned the allegiance of the Elder Wand.

Opposition to Voldemort

Significant event
Opposition to Voldemort
Description
Formed the Order of the Phoenix and fought Voldemort.

Curse of the ring and death

Significant event
Curse of the ring and death
Description
Seized Marvolo Gaunt's Horcrux ring, received a curse, and was given a one-year death sentence.

His death and plan

Significant event
His death and plan
Description
In 1996, commissioned Snape to assassinate him in an attempt to control the Elder Wand's allegiance.

Relationships

Percival Dumbledore

Father

Wizard father. Imprisoned in Azkaban and died there.

Kendra Dumbledore

Mother

Witch mother. Busy caring for sister Ariana.

Aberforth Dumbledore

Sibling

Younger brother. Has a dark relationship with Albus over their sister's death.

Ariana Dumbledore

Sibling

Younger sister. Died in an unfortunate accident and greatly influenced Albus's life.

Aurelius Dumbledore

Cousin

Nephew. Details depicted in Fantastic Beasts.

Gellert Grindelwald

Former lover

Shared ideals in youth and plotted around the Deathly Hallows.

Nicolas Flamel

Collaborator

Collaborator in alchemy research.

Elphias Doge

Best friend

Lifelong friend from Hogwarts days, mutually respected.

Alastor Moody

Teammate

Member of the Order of the Phoenix.

Horace Slughorn

Colleague

Later returned as Hogwarts professor.

Severus Snape

Trusted agent

Intended as his assassin to control the true ownership of the Elder Wand.

Harry Potter

Protege

His most trusted student, the key to defeating Voldemort.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry: leader

Order of the Phoenix

Order of the Phoenix: leader

Media appearances

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

Novel / Supporting

1997 novel release

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

Movie / Supporting

2001 theatrical release

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

Movie / Supporting

2018 theatrical release

Various Harry Potter series games

Game / Supporting

Voice cast and creators

Ichirō Nagai

Voice actor
Ichirō Nagai
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Movies 1-8, Japanese dub
Notes
First-generation dub

Tami Ōki

Voice actor
Tami Ōki
Language
Japanese
Version or series
game version
Notes
Early game versions

Toshiyuki Morikawa

Voice actor
Toshiyuki Morikawa
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Fantastic Beasts series Japanese dub

Richard Harris

Voice actor
Richard Harris
Language
English
Version or series
Movies 1-2
Notes
First-generation actor

Michael Gambon

Voice actor
Michael Gambon
Language
English
Version or series
Movies 3-8
Notes
Later actor

Jude Law

Voice actor
Jude Law
Language
English
Version or series
Fantastic Beasts series (younger years)
Notes
European English version

J.K. Rowling

Creator name
J.K. Rowling
Role
Original author

Sayūsha

Creator name
Sayūsha
Role
Publisher

Warner Bros.

Creator name
Warner Bros.
Role
Licensee

Related goods

Albus Dumbledore figure

Item name
Albus Dumbledore figure
Category
Figure
Availability
Regular

Fawkes plush

Item name
Fawkes plush
Category
Plush or doll
Availability
Limited

Elder Wand replica

Item name
Elder Wand replica
Category
Accessory
Availability
Limited

Find Albus Dumbledore goods