The Talented Mr. Riddle

[Caius Marcius]

No: HPFGUIDX 2879

In the final chapter (18) of HP/CS, Dumbledore tells Harry and the Weasleys,
"Very few people know that Lord Voldemort was once called Tom Riddle."
Dumbledore goes on to explain that TR immersed himself in The Dark Arts to
such an extent and underwent so many transformations that "he was barely
recognizable."

OK, so maybe Voldy's motivations in keeping his previous identity secret are
clear, but why are the Good Guys going along with this conspiracy of
silence?  Surely Ginny and Harry could never have been duped if the name Tom
Riddle were as notorious as the name of Voldemort.  We know from the
admirable History of Magic instructor, Professor Binns, that a thorough
in-depth exploration of Wizardly history is an important area of study.  Why
isn't the rise of Voldemort tackled as an important historical topic in its
own right?

(Or maybe Binns did tell his class that Voldy began his career as Riddle,
but they were all sleeping).

    - CMC