Arthur Dee: Fasciculus chemicus, translated by Elias Ashmole (English Renaissance Hermeticism) [Hardcover]

Arthur Dee (Author), Lyndy Abraham (Author, Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0815309260 | ISBN-13: 978-0815309260 | Publication Date: December 1, 1996 | Edition: 1

A major forgotten work of English alchemy, "Fasciculus chemicus" was first published in Paris in 1630. It was translated by Ashmole into English in 1650, two years prior to his widely known anthology of English alchemical verse, "Theatrum chemicum Britannicum." Dee's work is a compendium, a 'fasciculus' of quintations from the major alchemical writers. He arranged the quotations in chapters according to the order of the opus as a way of illuminating the alchemical process. The authors cited include Lull, Ripley, Dastin, Dunstan, Trevisanus, Arnold of Villa Nova, and Tauladanus. In this edition, the editor identifies the sources of the quotations and contributes the first substantial biography of this fascinating figure. The son of the Elizabethan mathematician, alchemist, and astrologer, Dr. John Dee, Arthur travelled as a boy with his father and Sir Edward Kelly through Bohemia. He was educated at Westminster School and in 1621 became physician to the Tsar of Russia for 14 years. In 1649 he retired to Norwich where he became a close friend of Sir Thomas Browne. "Fasciculus chemicus" is now made available for the first time since 1650. Index included.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Historians of alchemy from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds will welcome the fine contribution to a prestigious series.
–Parergon

Product Details

• Hardcover: 216 pages
• Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (December 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0815309260
• ISBN-13: 978-0815309260
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,223,321 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fasciculus chemicus, November 15, 2009

By 

javafusion - See all my reviews

This review is from: Arthur Dee: Fasciculus chemicus, translated by Elias Ashmole (English Renaissance Hermeticism) (Hardcover)

In his introduction, Abraham presents a short, fascinating biography of Dee's life and outlines the development and reception of his compendium, Fasciculus chemicus. The introduction is then followed by the translation. It is, without question, an alchemical work of first rank and should be carefully studied by students of the Art, for there is much here that is instructive to the process.