Index of Terms and People

Ashmole, Elias: English collector of curios who didn't write any of his own alchemical material, but did collect and edit a significant volume
Backhouse, William: Ashmole's mentor who translated at least three alchemical poems in the 1640s from French
von Helwig, Johann Otto: a German physician who wrote an alchemical treatise in the 1680s under an assumed name
- alias Ali Puli; this is the name I most commonly use in this exhibit
Paracelsus: prominent sixteenth-century physician who made significant contributions to alchemy and medicine; best known for his toxicology and pharmaceutical work
Aristotle: Greek philosopher who created the theory of matter that influenced later alchemists
de Meun, Jean: medieval alchemist whose name was used by later writers
Cradock, Edward: Elizabethan writer and theologian who also practiced alchemy

Philosopher's Stone: stone that alchemists believed could purify things, turn metals into gold and heal people; was made of ideal mercury and sulphur
mercury-sulphur theory: theory that all metals were made of mercury and sulphur
four elements theory: theory that all matter was composed of the four classical elements earth, air, water and fire

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