Monday, September 26th marks Professor Quirinus Quirrell's birthday, as confirmed by J.K. Rowling via her site Pottermore. Quirrell, a Half-blood, was sorted into Ravenclaw House in Hogwarts as a child, and had an affinity for theoretical aspects of the Dark Arts, though not quite as proficient in the practice.

In the Harry Potter books, Quirrell was featured in the very first, Philosopher's Stone, as Harry's first Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, and a very timid and easily-frightened one at that. Before beginning his very short tenure at Hogwarts, Quirrell went on a world tour, and during that found himself in Albania, where Lord Voldemort took possession and control over his body, causing Quirrell to become a temporary Horcrux.

During Harry's first year, Quirrell was found to be the one who let in the troll in the dungeon, tried to knock Harry off his broom during his first Quidditch match, and overall try to get possession of the Philosopher's Stone as a means to assist in bringing Lord Voldemort back to corporeal form. That however did not work out, as he sustained life-threatening injuries and burns when trying to attack Harry in the chamber where the Mirror of Erised resided. The encounter with Harry killed Quirrell, and the part of Voldemort's soul fled from the scene, and would be found again years later.

Professor Quirrell was played by actor Ian Hart in the first film, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.

Happy Birthday, Professor Quirrell!