- "A healthy mind is an inquisitive mind."
- — Basil Fronsac's portrait[src]
Professor Basil Fronsac was a wizard. A scholar and a supporter of Ravenclaw, he was appointed as Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry sometime before Armando Dippet. There is a portrait of him hung in the Headmaster's office, in order to give advice to the current Head,[2] and several others of a younger him on the Castle's main halls.
Biography
Early life
Basil Fronsac attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in his youth and was Sorted into Ravenclaw.[3] In his elderly years, Professor Fronsac was appointed Headmaster of Hogwarts.[2]
1993–1994 school year
In 1993, Professor Fronsac had several portraits hung at Hogwarts Castle; quite a few of them at the Grand Staircase.[4]
1995–1996 school year
By 1995, his portrait was hung at the Grand Staircase. The portrait guarded a shortcut leading to the second-floor corridor, near the Library. He held a pocket watch and his password was "Studious Success". He would be happy to help any "inquisitive minds" that could find out where Rowena Ravenclaw came from.[3]
1996–1997 school year
In the next school year, the portrait was moved to the Dungeons. He still guarded a secret passage, this time leading to the Grand Staircase. His password became "Libraries Liberate".[5]
Behind the scenes
- The portrait of the middle-aged Basil Fronsac appears to be a direct homage to a portrait of Henry James.
Etymology
The name "Basil" is from the Greek name "Βασιλειος" ("Basileios"), which was derived from "βασιλευς" ("basileus"), meaning "king". Saint Basil the Great was a 4th-century bishop of Caesarea and one of the fathers of the early Christian church. It was also borne by two Byzantine emperors.
Appearances
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film) (Disc 2)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game) (Appears in portrait(s))
- Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game) (Appears in portrait(s))
- Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (video game) (Appears in portrait(s))
- The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (Appears in portrait(s))
Notes and references
- ↑ The clothing worn by Basil on his portrait reveals that he was portrayed during the 1910s. By the 1910s he was already a middle-aged wizard, as evidenced by his sparse, white hair.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (film) DVD (Disc 2 - Dumbledore's Office)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (video game)
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game)
- ↑ Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (video game)