Wizard

A wizard is a practitioner of magic, especially in folklore, fantasy fiction, and fantasy role-playing games. In popular use during 16th century England, "wizard' was used to denote a helpful male folk magican, a cunning man as they were usually called. The word does not generally apply to Neopagans, or to stage magicians (properly termed illusionists) like David Copperfield, Paul Daniels, or James Randi.

"Real-Life" Wizards

In history, there have been several real people who are popularly believed, or who claimed to be, wizards, sorcerers, etc. Examples include:

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• Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa a magician, occult writer, and an alchemist.
• Aleister Crowley is a controversial figure, the most famous "modern wizard," who is believed to have coined the alternate spelling, "magick."
• John Dee, whose magical powers were said to come from angels.
• John Diamond, and his granddaughter, Molly Pitcher, were supposed to have the ability to foretell the future and help (or doom) sailors at sea.
• Gerald Fitzgerald, the Earl of Desmond, was said to be a shapeshifter wizard, whose spirit is said to still haunt the living.
• Nicholas Flamel, though he is really more of an alchemist.
• Michael Scot may have been fictional, though those who claim his reality say he could do amazing feats by conversing with spirits.