Harry Potter fans will be more than familiar with The Philosopher’s Stone (Sorcerer’s Stone for American fans) and its creator Nicolas Flamel. But who was the man behind the creation? That’s what this is about.
The character’s creation of the Philosopher’s Stone was the subject of the first Harry Potter book, where Lord Voldemort seeks the object to bring back his body after it was destroyed due to Lily Potter’s loving sacrifice of protecting her son.
Nicolas Flamel created the Elixir of Life, allowing him and his wife to remain immortal. While he doesn’t appear in the books themselves, he does appear in the second Fantastic Beasts film, The Crimes of Grindelwald.
The Flamels lived happily for over 600 years before the event of the first Potter book. Given they were French, the couple attended Beaubaxtons Academy of Magic. For those keeping track, this is the same school that Fleur and Gabrielle Delacour attended. We’ll review the change to the French magic school and that of Durmstrang in a different post.
They were even responsible for partially funding the Palace of Beaubaxton in France.
The True Nicolas Flamel
Nicolas Flamel in the Harry Potter franchise was based on a real person. As was, Perenelle, Nicolas’ wife. It is thought that Perenelle was also an alchemist, but nothing historical backs that up. Also, the couple didn’t live to be 600 years old.
The real Nicolas Flamel died in his late 80s. Perenelle was in her late 70s when she died. Also, there is no evidence that either of them were successful Alchemists.
