Who is the headmaster of Hogwarts at the beginning of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series?

Albus Dumbledore is the headmaster of Hogwarts at the beginning of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series.

Dumbledore leads Hogwarts when Harry arrives for his first year in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. He is presented as an exceptionally powerful wizard, a trusted mentor, and one of the principal opponents of Lord Voldemort.

His full name is Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore. Before becoming headmaster, he taught Transfiguration at Hogwarts. He also defeated the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald in 1945, a historical event that is important to the later mythology of the wizarding world.

Dumbledore remains headmaster through much of the series, but the position changes hands during the story. Dolores Umbridge, Severus Snape, and Minerva McGonagall each occupy the post at different points.