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Brian Gagwilde III was a pure-blood descendent of Headmaster Brian Gagwilde. Though never a headmaster of Hogwarts himself, Brian Gagwilde III made a name for himself through his unswerving loyalty to Hogwarts. He was instrumental in the progressive education movement of the 17th century as he believed that in order to have the full educational experience, children should be educated outside of their home. Until that time, many pure-blood wizards chose to educate their children privately inside their home. Unfortunately, this often led to a discrepancy in what they should know versus what they actually knew. It also reduced the children’s communication skills and involvement in the wizard community. Gagwilde noted this reduction in the community of wizards and correctly deduced that it was due to a lack of institutionalized education.

Thus, he began the Education Reformation Movement of the early 17th century, tirelessly campaigning to get children in centralized and officially recognized wizarding schools. At the time of his death in the mid-17th century, Hogwarts hung several portraits of him in its halls. The two most notable ones can be found in the Entrance Hall and portrait along the Grand Staircase. Gagwilde is often found in one of these portraits, but if his portraits are empty, it means he is probably visiting his portrait in Malfoy Manor. By hanging such a large number of portraits dedicated to Brian Gagwilde III, Hogwarts honors a man that supported education reform and Hogwarts until his dying day. His ancestor, Headmaster Brian Gagwilde, would be very proud.