Digory Kirke

Digory Kirke was an important character, present at the creation of the World of Narnia.

Biography
As a young boy in London, England, while his mother was ill, Digory befriended Polly Plummer. His unusual uncle Andrew Ketterley made magical rings that allowed its wearers to travel to other worlds (of completely different universes) by passing through the Wood Between the Worlds. Uncle Andrew first tricked Polly into trying on the ring. When she disapeared, Andrew blackmailed Digory to try to retrieve her with another ring. After passing through the Wood Between the World, Digory broke an enchantment in the surreal World of Charn, accidentally releasing its evil awoken empress Jadis (later the White Witch). Though she was weak in the Wood, Jadis managed to arrive with Digory and Polly back in London by the use of chain-magic. She caused commotion in the city after which Digory, Polly, Andrew, Jadis, and a cabby driver and his horse ended up in the newly born world of Narnia. While there, the world's creator, Aslan, sent Digory on a journey which allowed a magical tree to grow in Narnia, keeping Jadis from attacking Narnia for centuries and the fruit of which Digory used to heal his mother, Mabel. He then planted the core, which over many years grew into a magical tree back in his own world.

Decades afterwards, as the elderly Professor Kirke, his wardrobe became where the Pevensie children entered Narnia. The wardrobe was carved from the tree he had planted as a child, after it had been blown over in a storm. Professor Kirke was the first to believe young Lucy Pevensie's travels to Narnia, obviously recalling his adventure in the world. However, he never told the children why he believes Lucy, and the children may have never realized that he had been there, unless Aslan himself told them.

Later, during the Pevensies' many Narnian adventures, it is mentioned that Digory lost his fortune, which explains why Edmund Pevensie and Lucy are forced to stay with their cousin Eustace Scrubb when their parents go abroad, instead of the elderly professor.