Who is Who?
1100 to 1800
Albertus Magnus
Bishop of Ratisbon, he became interested in the occult arts; experimented with alchemy and magic, and produced amazing phenomena. A prolific writer, he was the author of a study of alchemy, containing directions for the practicing alchemist.
Reputedly, he achieved the transmutation of metals by means of the philosopher's stone. He was also credited with power over atmospheric conditions and with the fashioning of an android, an automaton capable of speech.
Anthony Francis
Seventeenth century quack physician and alchemist. Claimed ability to dissolve gold into a universal remedy.
Arnold of Villanova
Thirteenth century physician, occultist, and alchemist. Traveled in Europe and Africa. Credited with transmutation of metals and converse with Satanic powers. In his medical practice he employed occult conjurations, mystic symbolism, and magic potions.
Cagliostro
Count Alessandro Cagliostro, originally, Giuseppe Balsamo. Italian magician and alchemist. After committing numberless crimes in Sicily, he fled from the island. After a sequence of travel and adventure throughout Europe, pervaded by practice in sorcery and alchemy with his wife Lorenza Feliciani, he was persona grata among the distinguished families of the Continent.
By the sale of love philtres, magic elixirs, and similar concoctions, he amassed great wealth. Again and again involved in scandals, he was compelled to travel from one country to another, acquiring a legendary reputation. His declining years were spent, in imprisonment, in the fortress of San Leo. Reputedly, he was successful in necromancy and the manufacture of diamonds by alchemy. He was also the founder of an occult society called The Egyptian Lodge.
David Beuther
Seventeenth century alchemist. Reputed to possess secret of making gold, imprisoned to extract his secret. Released, he poisoned himself to protect secret.
Elias Ashmole
Another instance of knowledge lost: Ashmole was an English alchemist of the 17th century.
George Ripley
English occultist and alchemist of 15th century. Reputed to have achieved transmutation of metals.
Henrich Khunrath
German physician and alchemist, flourished in 16th century.
Isaac of Holland
Alchemist who flourished in the fifteenth century A.D.
J.C. Chymeriastes
Eighteenth century alchemist.
J. Joachim Becher
Eighteenth century German chemist and alchemist.
Johann Conrad Barchusen
Eighteenth century alchemist. Author of alchemical treatise.
Johannes Trithemius
1462-1516. German Abbot of Spanheim. Friend of Agrippa. Author of works on alchemy and magic and Liber Octo Quaestionum, which classifies demons. Reputed to have exorcised Mary of Burgundy, wife of Emperor Maximilian.
Dr. John Dee
English scholar and mathematician. Studied in Europe. Interested in alchemy, astrology, and arcane lore. Involved in imprisonment for casting horoscopes and practicing enchantment against Mary, Queen of England. As a government agent, he was later sent on service to Europe, where he became associated with Edward Kelley, magician, in necromantic acts, including crystalomancy. Author of Liber Mysteriorum-Book of Mysteries. His speculum or mirror, one of his magic properties, is now in the British Museum.
Mark Antony Bragadini
Sixteenth century Italian alchemist. Beheaded for boasting of transmutation of metals by demoniac aid.
Michael Scot
c. 1175-1232. Scottish magician. Attached to court of Emperor Frederick II. Author of many books on necromancy, incantations, alchemy, divination, oneiroscopy. Acquired legendary reputation for skill in wizardry and his occult experiences. Mentioned by Dante.
Nicholas Flamel
French alchemist who flourished in the 16th century. [More]
Osvaldus Crollius
Seventeenth century alchemist. Follower of Paracelsus.
Paracelsus
German physician, magus, and astrologer, whose actual name was Theophrastus Bombast von Hohenheim. [More]
Pietro Mora
Milanese physician of 17th century. Also Satanist, alchemist, wizard, astrologer.
Raymond Lully
1235-1315. Spanish alchemist and Kabalist. Reputed to have transmuted base metal into gold, called after him aurum Raymundi.
Saint-Germain
In the 18th century, the Count of Saint-Germain was a Man of Mystery. Attached to court of Louis XV of France. Claimed to be 2000 years old. Known to speak and write a dozen Oriental and western languages. Adept in alchemy. Reputed to have achieved invisibility, and to have corresponded, after his putative death, with French nobility. Author of occult book entitled La Très Sainte Trinosophie--The Most Holy Triple Philosophy.