The Founders of Hogwarts "You all know, of course, that Hogwarts was founded over a thousand years ago - the precise date is uncertain - by the four greatest witches and wizards of the age. They built this castle together, far from prying Muggle eyes, for it was an age when magic was feared by common people, and witches and wizards suffered much persecution." -- Professor Binns (CS)

Over a thousand years ago, the four greatest witches and wizards of the age shared a dream, to create a school where young people of the wizarding world could study and be trained in the magical arts they needed to become skilled, fully-trained wizards. These four great wizards each founded one of the Houses of the school that they worked together to form: Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. They have been referred to as The Hogwarts Four.

For a number of years, this arrangement worked just fine. Each of the founders took a group of students to be in their own house and even though they had differences of opinion about who should be trained, the house system helped them all to work together. However, as the years went by, the differences between Gryffindor and Slytherin became a serious rift. Eventually Slytherin left the school.

The Founders
Godric Gryffindor
Godric Gryffindor believed that anyone who showed magical ability should be allowed to attend Hogwarts.

The Sorting Hat originally belonged to Gryffindor. His sword, with rubies in the handle, has also survived and is in the possession of Dumbledore.

According to the Sorting Hat, Gryffindor came "from wild moor".

It is possible that the village of Godric's Hollow is named after Godric Gryffindor.

Helga Hufflepuff
According to the Sorting Hat, Hufflepuff came "from valley broad."

Her Famous Wizard card states that "(s)he brought people from different walks of life together to help build Hogwarts and was loved for her charming ways." (fw12)

Rowena Ravenclaw
According to the Sorting Hat, Ravenclaw came "from glen."

Her Famous Wizard card tells us that "(i)t's thought that she came up with the ever-changing floor plan. She's best remembered for her intelligence and creativity."

Rowena was dear friends with Helga Hufflepuff. She is said to have stated: "We will teach those whose intelligence is surest."

Salazar Slytherin
Salazar Slytherin believed that only pure-blood witches and wizards should be allowed to attend Hogwarts. He got into an argument with Godric Gryffindor about this and eventually left the school. There was a legend that Slytherin built a secret chamber somewhere in Hogwarts that only his true heir would be able to open. This chamber, called the Chamber of Secrets, contained a monster that would finish his "noble purpose" of killing all the Muggle-born students at Hogwarts. As Slytherin's heir, Tom Riddle did open the Chamber and released the monster, a basilisk. Harry Potter defeated the basilisk with the help of Fawkes the phoenix and the sword of Gryffindor (CS).

Slytherin was a Parselmouth (CS).

There is some evidence that Slytherin was unusual looking. In CS17, the statue of Slytherin was described as being "ancient and monkey-like."

Harry Potter has many qualities Salazar Slytherin prized in his hand-picked students: Parselmouth -- resourcefulness -- determination -- a certain disregard for rules.

According to the Sorting Hat, Slytherin came from the fen.

Godric Gryffindor

Godric was the founder of Gryffindor house. A fair man, he believed that any child who displayed magical abilities before their 11th birthday should be able to attend Hogwarts. Godric valued courage and bravery above all else, believing that these were the two most virtuous abilities a person can possess.

Helga Hufflepuff

A kind and warm woman, Helga was the founder of Hufflepuff house. Not much is known of her, though we may assume that she brought (or tried to bring) unity to Hogwarts. The values a person must posses to be sorted into Hufflepuff house are those of loyalty and patience above all else.

Rowena Ravenclaw

The founder of Ravenclaw house, Rowena was a sharp and intelligent woman. Intellect is a highly valued asset to the students of Ravenclaw house. Due to this, it is likely that Rowena wanted to make Hogwarts the very finest wizarding school on Earth, teaching those children with the highest ability. Rowena no doubt valued education as a prized asset, and focused on the importance of teaching young wizards and witches everything possible to prepare them for their lives in the adult wizarding world.

Salazar Slytherin

Founder of Slytherin house. Salazar was sly and cunning, not unlike many of the students in his house today. He believed strongly that only wizards of the purest blood (i.e those with a mother and father who were both from pure wizarding families, and who did not have any Muggle heritage) should be allowed to attend Hogwarts. Salazar caused great dispute over this with the other founders, and it eventually caused a permanent rift with Godric, which led to Salazar’s departure from the school. Before he left, however, he went behind the other founders’ backs and created the Chamber of Secrets, complete with a huge statue of himself.