Ignatia Wildsmith (1227—1320) was a wizarding inventor and the creator of Floo Powder. During her childhood, she attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and was Sorted into Ravenclaw.[1]
Biography[]
Early life[]
- "Ravenclaw house has an illustrious history. Most of the greatest wizarding inventors and innovators were in our house, including […] Ignatia Wildsmith, the inventor of Floo powder."
- —Robert Hilliard.[src]
Ignatia Wildsmith was born in 1227,[2] somewhere in the British Isles.
In her youth, she attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry from around 1238 to 1245, where she was Sorted into Ravenclaw.[1]
Adulthood[]
After her graduation from Hogwarts School, Ms. Wildsmith presumably studied further into Herbology, and discovered the magical properties of the Floo plant. From it, she devised a magical powder, Floo Powder, which, when thrown into a fire, could transport wizards from one fireplace to another via a network of fireplaces.[2]
Death and post-mortem[]
Ms. Wildsmith died in 1320, aged around 93. In her honour, her achievement, the invention of the Floo Powder, was recorded on a Chocolate Frog Card.[2]
On 1 September, 1991, Prefect Robert Hilliard welcomed the Ravenclaw first years to Ravenclaw Tower with a short speech in which he mentioned inventor Ignatia Wildsmith as one of the many notable Hogwarts students who had been Sorted, like them, into Ravenclaw.[1]
Etymology[]
- "Ignis" is Latin for "fire".
Appearances[]
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (video game) (Appears on a Famous Wizard Card)
- Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (video game) (Appears on a Famous Wizard Card)
- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (video game) (Appears on a Famous Wizard Card)
- Wizard of the Month
- Pottermore (Mentioned only)
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Pottermore introduction for Ravenclaws (transcription available here)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (video game)