The Minister for Magic
The Minister for Magic (also refered to as the Minister of Magic) is the head of the government for the Wizarding world. The Minister enjoys a position of great prominence and prestige. He represents the British magical community in international affairs and sets the tone for the policies of the Ministre of Magic. The Minister for Magic also presides over the Wizengamot.
Kingsley Shacklebolt 1998-
Shacklebolt, an Auror and a member of the Order of the Phoenix who fought vailantly against the Death Eaters during the Second Wizarding War, took over as Minister for Magic following the Battle of Hogwarts and the defeat of Voldemort.He ushered in a new era of accountability for the Ministry.
Pius Thicknesse 1997-1998
Previous to becoming Minister for Magic, Thicknesse was the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement (DH1). He was placed under the Imperius Curse by the Death Eaters after their takeover of the Ministry of Magic and made a puppet Minister. He was replaced after the Battle of Hogwarts (May 1998).
Rufus Scrimgeour 1996-1997
Replaced Fudge as Minister shortly after Voldemort's re-emergence on the
scene was publicly acknowledged. Scrimgeour was previously
Head of the Aurors, and Dumbledore noted that as such Scrimgeour wouldn't take Voldemort lightly. However, Scrimgeour is willing to allow
someone like Stan Shunpike to be arrested and imprisoned unjustly in order to appear to be making
some progress in the war against Voldemort. He repeatedly tried
to get both Dumbledore and Harry to make a show of supporting the
Ministry, but neither would do so when they use such tactics. Scrimgeour was captured by Death Eaters during their takeover of the Ministry (August 1997). He was tortured and killed.
Cornelius Oswald Fudge 1990 - 1996
Cornelius Fudge was Minister for Magic from 1990through June of 1996. He was elected to the post in 1990after Millicent Bagnold retired. His campaign slogan was "A fair deal for Wizards who deal fair with Muggles!" (DP2). At first he "pelted Dumbledore with owls" (PS5) asking for advice, but over the years he began to consider Dumbledore more of a threat than anything. He remembered how much popular support there was for the idea of making Dumbledore the Minister for Magic, even though Dumbledore hadn't wanted the job. Fudge came to love his position so much that he turned a blind eye to the return of Voldemort. It wasn't until Fudge saw the Dark Lord himself in June of 1996 that Fudge publicly acknowledged that Voldemort had in fact returned. Shortly thereafter, Fudge was run out of office because of the public outcry against him.
Previous Ministers for Magic
- 1798-1811: Artemisia Lufkin, first witch to become Minister for Magic (fw)
- 1811-1819: Grogan Stump, who came up with the Being/Beast/Spirit divisions of the Wizarding World (FB, fw)
- 1819-1865: unknown
- 1865-1903: Faris "Spout-Hole" Spavin (JKR)
- 1903-1962: unknown
- 1962-1968: Nobby Leach (JKR)
- 1968-1980: unknown
- 1980-1990: Millicent Bagnold, who preceded CorneliusFudge.
NOTE: In the British versions of the books, this position is referred to as the Minister for Magic, while in the U.S. editions it is called the Minister of Magic.
