Learning can be fun.
And in the wizarding world of Harry Potter…
You’d expect lessons to have a magical twist, right?
Well, that doesn’t always happen.
Even wizardry has its boring moments.
In fact, there’s 1 teacher everyone dreads.
And it’s about time we learn more about Professor Cuthbert Binns.
Continue reading to discover:
- A funny twist behind the history professor’s name.
- How Mr. Binns managed to survive the Battle of Hogwarts.
- 21 puzzling facts you didn’t know about Professor Cuthbert Binns
- And so much more…
About Cuthbert Binns
| Born | Unknown (Died before 1890) |
| Purity | Unknown |
| House | Unknown |
| Character Traits | Boring, Uninterested, Sleepy |
| Patronus | Unknown |
| Wand | Unknown |
| Zodiac Sign | Unknown |
Cuthbert Binns background
Not much is known about Cuthbert Binns.
In fact, by the time Harry Potter met the professor in 1991 – 1992:
He’s already a ghost.
But, on the bright side, we can piece together bits of information.
Clues from video games, movies, and books.
For starters, we can look at his family.
Cuthbert was born into the Binns household.
Sadly, even the ancestry isn’t explored.
And fans suspect the bloodline’s possibly extinct.
However, Professor Binns did mention his father to Harry Potter before.
When asked about his strange family, Cuthbert replied:
“You’re welcome. As my father always used to say, zzzzzz…”
From his response, it seems Professor Binns dozing off’s a habit.
Something he already had in the past.
And he passed out so often that he’d sleep mid-sentence of whatever his father tried telling him.
Not the worst trait a wizard could have.
But I do feel bad for his father in this case.
Cuthbert Binns occupation
As you could’ve already guessed.
Cuthbert Binns worked as a professor.
And he taught the History of Magic, a textbook written by Bathilda Bagshot. And an important subject that explored the magical history of the wizarding world.
Sadly, as exciting a description as that sounds.
The actual class was rather boring.
And there’s no one else to blame but Professor Binns.
You see, he wasn’t theatrical or enthusiastic.
His voice was very monotonous.
And he’d shuffle and read through all his notes.
Even falling asleep to the sound of his own lecture sometimes.
Plus, research shows studying history’s very important.
It can help students reflect and learn life lessons from the past.
And I think it’s extremely concerning every student hated the class.
In fact, Cuthbert Binns seems so out of touch with reality.
He slept in front of a fire in the staffroom.
But did the boring professor flinch?
No, he didn’t
He woke up and went to his next class.
But there’s 1 big difference.
He’s already a ghost.
So instead of walking through the door, he’d pass through blackboards.
Which could’ve been the only exciting thing from his class.
“Has Professor Binns always been like this throughout his time in Hogwarts?”
As much as I’d like to believe Cuthbert had his moments.
Sadly, he’s always been a very boring teacher.
In fact, Professor Binns had already been teaching back in the 70s.
A time when Harry’s Parents, Lily Evans and James Potter, were in Hogwarts.
But was he any different in the past?
No, he’s exactly the same history professor that can make students sleep without using any spells.
In fact, he’d never stop talking about goblin rebellions and giant wars.
Even with the majority of his class wasn’t listening to him at all.
What’s worse, a student tried to get his attention.
And, back in 1989, the witch used a screaming yo-yo on the professor.
A magical toy that shouted when the user played with it.
But did Cuthbert budge?
No, he just went on with his lesson.
In fact, a study shows how harmful boredom can be in education.
Students won’t learn or take anything of value when a class’s boring.
And the duty of making learners find the subject interest falls on the teacher.
So it’s very sad to see how Professor Binns managed the magical history lessons.
Even I’d do a better job than him.
And I don’t have any certificate to teach.
Cuthbert Binns character
Most of us can agree that Cuthbert’s a very boring person.
And his boredom’s so contagious it can put a class to sleep.
However, he does take pride in his work.
Especially when students challenge his knowledge.
For example, when Hermione Granger, a young witch, asked about the Chamber of Secrets.
Professor Cuthbert Binns replied:
“My subject is History of Magic. I deal with facts, Miss Granger, not myths and legends.”
And he followed up by saying:
“There is not a shred of evidence that Slytherin ever built so much as a secret broom cupboard! I regret telling you such a foolish story! We will return, if you please, to history, to solid, believable, verifiable fact!”
However, we do find out that the chamber does exist.
It’s right under the lake on Hogwarts grounds.
And you have to speak in Parseltongue, the language of serpents, to open it.
But at least we get to see another side of Professor Binns.
Even a boring ghost stood his ground when he felt his expertise questioned.
“It’s good to know he’s more than just a monotonous teacher. Does Cuthbert have any other surprising traits?”
Well, do you remember the Battle of Hogwarts?
It’s the climax of the 2nd Wizarding War.
Where an army of dark forces charged into the wizarding school.
In fact, I recommend watching the scene again (especially when they’re putting up defenses):
And can you guess what the professor’s up to?
Well, he’s actually in the fight as well.
Because everyone did their part in defending Hogwarts.
And that goes for ghosts too.
Sure, we don’t see him in the movies.
Plus, ghosts can’t do much to the physical world.
But the book mentioned that ghosts participated in the mourning.
And it’s nice to know Professor Binns, at the very least, wasn’t yapping about history during the Battle of Hogwarts.
More facts about Cuthbert Binns
#1: He’s actually a pretty skilled history professor
Although it might be hard to believe.
No teacher gets into Hogwarts without any talent or knack for teaching.
So every single member of the staff’s a pretty skilled professor in their own right.
And that fact even extends to Cuthbert Binns.
An infamous magical history teacher that’s known for being extremely boring.
Sadly, we don’t know much about his past.
So we can’t bring out any examples of the professor making history sound fun to learn.
But we can’t deny certificates.
And no wizard or witch becomes a teacher at Hogwarts without a proper background.
Therefore, it’s going to have standards.
Especially if it’s the finest wizarding school in the whole world.
#2: He barely notices any of his students in class
While any student under Professor Binns eventually falls asleep.
It’s actually very much the same for Cuthbert as well.
Mr. Binns barely noticed any of his students in the class.
In fact, he never even realized he had Harry Potter listening to him.
Also, when Hermione Granger asked him questions.
He’d call her:
“Miss Grant.”
And he’d get a lot of names mixed up too.
#3: He’s not limited to history lessons
Most people know Professor Binns for handling magical history.
However, that’s not the only subject he taught at Hogwarts.
In fact, he’s actually pretty informed on a lot of topics.
For example, he’s no stranger to Magizoology, the study of magical creatures.
Because he can tell you the traits of many different breeds of dragons.
Plus, he’s also got his finger wrapped around Alchemy, the study of basic elements and substances.
Because he taught the subject to 7th-years during his classes as well.
So, even if he’s pretty boring, at least he’s knowledgeable.
And we can count on the professor if we have any questions.