Who is Cornelius Agrippa, and how does Victor find out about him?

In the book "Frankenstein" Victor's family travels extensively throughout Europe.  Victor's parents were very loving and kind to their son whom they showered with love and affection.  When Victor was about thirteen he learned about Cornelius Agrippa.  He was a German Philosopher who studied the occult. While staying at an Inn in Thonon he found one of his written volumes and Victor started to read it.  Victor was so excited about what the man had written that he told his father.

Victor's father's response was to tell Victor that he was wasting his time by reading the material by the man.  He tells him that it is trash.

Victor, feeling that his father really did not know or understand the man, returned home to get the rest of the man's volumes and read them.  He found the writing delightful.