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|born=Before [[1863]]
 
|born=Before [[1863]]
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|died=Likely before [[1992]] (Unconfirmed if dead)<ref>It is unconfirmed, but due to the fact that Dumbledore uses to word "was" to describe Burke, and that he doesn't appear to be running the shop with Borgin, it definitely a possibility he died some time before 1992</ref>
|died=
 
 
|blood=[[Pure-blood]] (most likely)
 
|blood=[[Pure-blood]] (most likely)
 
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}}
 
}}
 
{{Quote|Caractacus Burke was not famed for his generosity.|[[Albus Dumbledore]]|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince}}
 
{{Quote|Caractacus Burke was not famed for his generosity.|[[Albus Dumbledore]]|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince}}
 
 
'''Caractacus Burke''' (fl. [[1860s|1863]]) was one of the original founders of [[Borgin and Burkes]]. Caractacus was one of the people [[Albus Dumbledore]] interviewed to find out more about [[Tom Riddle|Voldemort's]] past. Dumbledore learned from Caractacus' memory that [[Merope Gaunt]] came to him when she was destitute, and sold him [[Salazar Slytherin's Locket]] for ten [[Wizarding currency|Galleons]].
 
'''Caractacus Burke''' (fl. [[1860s|1863]]) was one of the original founders of [[Borgin and Burkes]]. Caractacus was one of the people [[Albus Dumbledore]] interviewed to find out more about [[Tom Riddle|Voldemort's]] past. Dumbledore learned from Caractacus' memory that [[Merope Gaunt]] came to him when she was destitute, and sold him [[Salazar Slytherin's Locket]] for ten [[Wizarding currency|Galleons]].
   
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{{Quote|Yes, we acquired it in curious circumstances. It was brought in by a young witch just before Christmas, oh, many years ago now. She said she needed the gold badly, well, that much was obvious. Covered in rags and pretty far along ... going to have a baby, see. She said [[Salazar Slytherin's locket|the locket]] had been Slytherin's. Well, we hear that sort of story all the time, 'Oh this was [[Merlin]]'s, this was, his favourite teapot,' but when I looked at it, it had his mark all right, and a few simple spells were enough to tell me the truth. Of course, that made it near enough priceless. She didn't seem to have any idea how much it was worth. Happy to get ten [[Galleon]]s for it. Best bargain we ever made!|Caractacus Burke on his encounter with [[Merope Gaunt]]|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince}}
 
{{Quote|Yes, we acquired it in curious circumstances. It was brought in by a young witch just before Christmas, oh, many years ago now. She said she needed the gold badly, well, that much was obvious. Covered in rags and pretty far along ... going to have a baby, see. She said [[Salazar Slytherin's locket|the locket]] had been Slytherin's. Well, we hear that sort of story all the time, 'Oh this was [[Merlin]]'s, this was, his favourite teapot,' but when I looked at it, it had his mark all right, and a few simple spells were enough to tell me the truth. Of course, that made it near enough priceless. She didn't seem to have any idea how much it was worth. Happy to get ten [[Galleon]]s for it. Best bargain we ever made!|Caractacus Burke on his encounter with [[Merope Gaunt]]|Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince}}
   
In [[1860s|1863]], Burke founded the shop [[Borgin and Burkes]] with his partner [[Borgin]]. The shop is located in [[Knockturn Alley]], an infamous street specialising in shops that sell [[Dark Arts|dark]] items<ref>''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)]]''</ref>. When Burke ran the shop he was known for taking advantage of people and driving hard bargains. This was demonstrated when, in [[December]], [[1920s|1926]], he was visited by [[Merope Gaunt]], a [[pure-blood]] descendant of [[Salazar Slytherin]]. Merope was destitute, and heavily pregnant with [[Tom Riddle]]. She wished to sell an [[Salazar Slytherin's Locket|artefact]], the locket that had belonged to her famous ancestor. Burke was hesitant of her claims, having heard many alleged artefacts, but a few spells were able to confirm that she was telling the truth. He took advantage of her ignorance and desperation and paid her much less than its true value, about 10 [[Galleon]]s worth. Burke later sold the locket to [[Hepzibah Smith]].
+
In [[1860s|1863]], Burke founded the shop [[Borgin and Burkes]] with his partner [[Borgin]]. The shop is located in [[Knockturn Alley]], an infamous street specialising in shops that sell [[Dark Arts|dark arts]] items<ref>''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)]]''</ref>. When Burke ran the shop he was known for taking advantage of people and driving hard bargains. This was demonstrated when, in [[December]], [[1920s|1926]], he was visited by [[Merope Gaunt]], a [[pure-blood]] descendant of [[Salazar Slytherin]]. Merope was destitute, and heavily pregnant with [[Tom Riddle]]. She wished to sell an [[Salazar Slytherin's Locket|artefact]], the locket that had belonged to her famous ancestor. Burke was hesitant to accept her claims, having heard many such tales, but a few spells were able to confirm that she was telling the truth. He took advantage of her ignorance and desperation and paid her much less than its true value, about 10 [[Galleon]]s worth. Burke later sold the locket to [[Hepzibah Smith]].
   
 
==Etymology==
 
==Etymology==
Caractacus was a British hero who fought the Roman invaders. Burke is reportedly named after Irishman William Burke, a bizarre serial killer who, with help from a partner, murdered dozens of people in Edinburgh in the late 1820s, selling the bodies as fresh cadavers to a local medical school. Caractacus was also the first name of the character played by Dick Van Dyke in the film ''Chitty Chitty Bang Bang''.
+
[[wikipedia:Caratacus|Caractacus]] was a British hero who fought the Roman invaders. Burke is reportedly named after [[Wikipedia:Burke and Hare murders|Irishman William Burke]], a bizarre serial killer who, with help from a partner, murdered dozens of people in Edinburgh in the late 1820s, selling the bodies as fresh cadavers to a local medical school. 'Burk' or 'berk' is also a British term for an annoying and stupid person, with an original meaning in Cockney Rhyming Slang which is far stronger. Caractacus was also the first name of the character played by Dick Van Dyke in the film ''Chitty Chitty Bang Bang''.
   
 
==Appearances==
 
==Appearances==
 
*''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]'' {{1st mention}}
 
*''[[Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets]]'' {{1st mention}}
*''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]'' {{Mention}}
+
*''[[Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince]]'' {{1st}}
 
*''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' {{Mention}}
 
*''[[Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows]]'' {{Mention}}
 
*''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4]]'' {{C|Surname seen on sign}}
 
*''[[LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4]]'' {{C|Surname seen on sign}}
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[[es:Caractacus Burke]]
 
[[es:Caractacus Burke]]
 
[[fr:Caractacus Beurk]]
 
[[fr:Caractacus Beurk]]
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[[pl:Caractacus Burkes]]
 
[[Category:British individuals|Burke, Caracacus]]
 
[[Category:British individuals|Burke, Caracacus]]
 
[[Category:Dark wizards|Burke, Caractacus]]
 
[[Category:Dark wizards|Burke, Caractacus]]
 
[[Category:Males|Burke, Caracacus]]
 
[[Category:Males|Burke, Caracacus]]
 
[[Category:Shop owners|Burke, Caracacus]]
 
[[Category:Shop owners|Burke, Caracacus]]
  +
[[Category:Burke family]]

Revision as of 01:22, 2 September 2015

"Caractacus Burke was not famed for his generosity."
Albus Dumbledore[src]

Caractacus Burke (fl. 1863) was one of the original founders of Borgin and Burkes. Caractacus was one of the people Albus Dumbledore interviewed to find out more about Voldemort's past. Dumbledore learned from Caractacus' memory that Merope Gaunt came to him when she was destitute, and sold him Salazar Slytherin's Locket for ten Galleons.

After Tom Riddle had left Hogwarts, Burke hired him to research and acquire items for him. Burke was very surprised when Tom Riddle disappeared.[2]

What ultimately happened to Burke is unknown, but by 1992, the shop seemed to be exclusively operated by Mr. Borgin.[3]

Biography

Early life

Burke was born some time before 1863. He is possibly related to Herbert Burke and other members of the pure-blood Burke family.[4]

As shop-owner

"Yes, we acquired it in curious circumstances. It was brought in by a young witch just before Christmas, oh, many years ago now. She said she needed the gold badly, well, that much was obvious. Covered in rags and pretty far along ... going to have a baby, see. She said the locket had been Slytherin's. Well, we hear that sort of story all the time, 'Oh this was Merlin's, this was, his favourite teapot,' but when I looked at it, it had his mark all right, and a few simple spells were enough to tell me the truth. Of course, that made it near enough priceless. She didn't seem to have any idea how much it was worth. Happy to get ten Galleons for it. Best bargain we ever made!"
— Caractacus Burke on his encounter with Merope Gaunt[src]

In 1863, Burke founded the shop Borgin and Burkes with his partner Borgin. The shop is located in Knockturn Alley, an infamous street specialising in shops that sell dark arts items[5]. When Burke ran the shop he was known for taking advantage of people and driving hard bargains. This was demonstrated when, in December, 1926, he was visited by Merope Gaunt, a pure-blood descendant of Salazar Slytherin. Merope was destitute, and heavily pregnant with Tom Riddle. She wished to sell an artefact, the locket that had belonged to her famous ancestor. Burke was hesitant to accept her claims, having heard many such tales, but a few spells were able to confirm that she was telling the truth. He took advantage of her ignorance and desperation and paid her much less than its true value, about 10 Galleons worth. Burke later sold the locket to Hepzibah Smith.

Etymology

Caractacus was a British hero who fought the Roman invaders. Burke is reportedly named after Irishman William Burke, a bizarre serial killer who, with help from a partner, murdered dozens of people in Edinburgh in the late 1820s, selling the bodies as fresh cadavers to a local medical school. 'Burk' or 'berk' is also a British term for an annoying and stupid person, with an original meaning in Cockney Rhyming Slang which is far stronger. Caractacus was also the first name of the character played by Dick Van Dyke in the film Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Appearances

Notes and references

  1. It is unconfirmed, but due to the fact that Dumbledore uses to word "was" to describe Burke, and that he doesn't appear to be running the shop with Borgin, it definitely a possibility he died some time before 1992
  2. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
  3. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
  4. Black family tree
  5. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)


London's wizarding quarter
England, Great Britain
Carkitt Market - Diagon Alley - Horizont Alley - Knockturn Alley
Knockturn Alley
Shops

13B Knockturn Alley · Beard Trimming · Betting shop · Borgin and Burkes · Chimney Sweep Elf · Cobb & Webb's · E.L.M and Wizards Undertakers & Embalmers · The Coffin House · Dystyl Phaelanges · Markus Scarrs Indelible Tattoos · Moribund's · McHavelock's Wizarding Headgear · Mr. Mulpepper's Apothecary · Noggin and Bonce · Potage's Cauldron Shop · Priya Treadwell's shop · Shyverwretch's Venoms and Poisons · The Spiny Serpent · The Starry Prophesier · Wizarding Supplies · Ye Olde Curiosity Shop · Msaw Ætare · Tallow and Hemp Toxic Tapers · The White Wyvern · Trackleshanks Locksmith

Known residents and shop employees

Mr Borgin · Caractacus Burke · Cobb & Webb's shopkeeper · Madam Potage · Priya Treadwell · McHavelock · Moribund · Mr Mulpepper · Podric Batworthy · Tom Marvolo Riddle (formerly) · Ye Olde Curiosity Shop shopkeeper