Xenophillius Lovegood worked in the department of mysteries up till the year 1979. When undercover death eater agent Augustus Rookwood tried to recruit him, he refused, and Augustus caused an 'accident' involving the brain room. Xenophillius' wife chose to work from home to care for him better in his recovery and started up a newsletter known as 'The Quibbler', she did, however, continue experimenting using the assistance of Xenophillius' research notes. Xenophillius had basically recovered by the year 1988. After her death in 1990 he continued the now magazine and his condition gradually worsened without her.