Merlin
Merlin began the Arthurian Legend as an adviser to Arthur's father, Uther Pendragon. He helped Uther sneak in to Tintagel Castle to be with Arthur's mother, Igraine.
Merlin was the one who provided the Sword in the Stone, and arranged for the tournament which provides the opportunity for fifteen-year old Arthur to ascend to the throne.
He then became a teacher and adviser to Arthur. He was celebrated as the most powerful wizard of his age, but would disappear for long stretches of time. He advised Arthur that marrying Guinevere would mean his ruin, since Merlin was able to glimpse the future.
Merlin's end is rather mysterious. In some stories he was imprisoned in an old oak tree by the Lady of the Lake, called Nimue or Vivian. She tricked him into revealing all of his secrets to her, and she used that knowledge to trap him. Some stories say that she tricked into hiding in a cave near Cornwall. It's been said that he is either still there, or he haunts those caves to this day.
Often depicted in long, flowing robes with an equally long, white beard, Merlin serves as the template for wizards in other writings.
More information here and here and here and here.
Merlin was the one who provided the Sword in the Stone, and arranged for the tournament which provides the opportunity for fifteen-year old Arthur to ascend to the throne.
He then became a teacher and adviser to Arthur. He was celebrated as the most powerful wizard of his age, but would disappear for long stretches of time. He advised Arthur that marrying Guinevere would mean his ruin, since Merlin was able to glimpse the future.
Merlin's end is rather mysterious. In some stories he was imprisoned in an old oak tree by the Lady of the Lake, called Nimue or Vivian. She tricked him into revealing all of his secrets to her, and she used that knowledge to trap him. Some stories say that she tricked into hiding in a cave near Cornwall. It's been said that he is either still there, or he haunts those caves to this day.
Often depicted in long, flowing robes with an equally long, white beard, Merlin serves as the template for wizards in other writings.
More information here and here and here and here.