Nicolas Flamel

Nicolas Flamel was a well known real-world alchemist and only known maker of the Philosopher's Stone, a legendary substance with incredible powers. He was a close friend and partner with former Hogwarts Headmaster Albus Dumbledore. He owed his considerable age to the Elixir of Life which he and his wife, Perenelle, created using the Stone. They were each ages 666 and 658, respectively, at their time of deaths.

Flamel is noted as an alchemist of considerable talent and also as an opera-lover. It is said he enjoyed his later years living a quiet life in Devon. Although it is clear that he used the Elixir to greatly extend his life it is not stated that he used the stones powers to make himself greatly wealthy, as the Stone is also capable of turning metal into gold.

The danger of the Stone's existance was brought to light when Voldemort, with the help of Hogwarts Professor Quirinus Quirrell, was nearly successful in stealing it for the purpose of restoring Voldemort to physical form. Though his plan was thwarted by the efforts of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, and Ronald Weasley, Flamel agreed, along with Dumbledore, that the stone should be destroyed. With enough Elixir to set his affairs in order, it was expected that Flamel and his wife would die a short time after that.

Flamel is briefly mentioned on Albus Dumbledore's Chocolate Frog Card

Behind the scenes

 * In Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (film), the Stone itself was what looked like a heavy piece of rough, ruby-red glass or fluorite.