Saruman the White

Saruman was the chief Maia dispatched to Middle-Earth by the Valar to combat the evils of Morgoth and his servants.  The Edain called him Curunir, and he was the head of the White Council, the collective group of wizards who each had a specialty in which they were well trained.  On Middle-Earth, Saruman appeared as an old man, a great and powerful wizard who was wise and strong in sorcery.

Yet Saruman's heart was corrupted by the allure of the One Ring, and he sought and desired it for himself.  He captured Gandalf the Grey in the high tower of Orthanc, revealing his mind and intent for the Ring.  It was later discovered that he was under the influence of Sauron, who had seduced Saruman through his illicit use of the Palantir, a seeing stone of great power and peril.

Saruman worked great evil in his quest for the Ring, including the destruction of the Forest of Fangorn and the breeding of a horrible race of half-men, half-orc.  His evils are revenged by the Ents of Fangorn who destroy his tiny kingdom.

After the destruction of the Ring, Saruman was ejected from the Council of wizards, and he and his servant Grima Wormtongue wandered to the Shire where they attempted to destroy the Shire through Industrialization.  He was in the end destroyed by Grima Wormtongue, who himself was killed by archers.