Alchemical Laboratory Notebooks and Correspondence
9780226577104
Alchemical Laboratory Notebooks and Correspondence
George Starkey—chymistry tutor to Robert Boyle, author of immensely popular alchemical treatises, and probably early America’s most important scientist—reveals in these pages the daily laboratory experimentation of a seventeenth-century alchemist.
The editors present in this volume transcriptions of Starkey’s texts, their translations, and valuable commentary for the modern reader. Dispelling the myth that alchemy was an irrational enterprise, this remarkable collection of laboratory notebooks and correspondence reveals the otherwise hidden methodologies of one of the seventeenth century’s most influential alchemists.
The editors present in this volume transcriptions of Starkey’s texts, their translations, and valuable commentary for the modern reader. Dispelling the myth that alchemy was an irrational enterprise, this remarkable collection of laboratory notebooks and correspondence reveals the otherwise hidden methodologies of one of the seventeenth century’s most influential alchemists.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Editorial Practices
Abbreviations
Brief Chronology of Starkey’s Life
Documents
1. Letter to John Winthrop, Jr., 2 August 1648
2. Laboratory Notebook Fragment; before Spring 1651
3. Letter to Robert Boyle, Containing "The Key"; ca. April/May 1651
4. Letter to Johann Moriaen, 30 May 1651
5. Laboratory Notebook Fragment, Late 1651
6. Letters to Robert Boyle, January-February 1652
7. Laboratory Notebook Fragment; February-March 1652
8. Letter to Samuel Hartlib, Undated (ca. 1651-53)
9. Letter to Frederick Clodius, Undated (ca. 1652-53)
10. Laboratory Notebook, ca. July-August 1653 and January-March 1656
10A. "A Perfect Day Booke," 11-14 December 1655
11. Laboratory Notebook, ca. August 1653-March 1656
12. Laboratory Notebook, ca. November 1654-August 1656
13. Prefaces to the Epistle to King Edward Unfolded, 1657
14. Laboratory Notebook Fragment, 1658
15. Autobiographical and Laboratory Notes, September 1658 to 1660
16. Letters to Philip Frith, January-May 1663
Chymical Symbols
Glossary
Index
Introduction
Editorial Practices
Abbreviations
Brief Chronology of Starkey’s Life
Documents
1. Letter to John Winthrop, Jr., 2 August 1648
2. Laboratory Notebook Fragment; before Spring 1651
3. Letter to Robert Boyle, Containing "The Key"; ca. April/May 1651
4. Letter to Johann Moriaen, 30 May 1651
5. Laboratory Notebook Fragment, Late 1651
6. Letters to Robert Boyle, January-February 1652
7. Laboratory Notebook Fragment; February-March 1652
8. Letter to Samuel Hartlib, Undated (ca. 1651-53)
9. Letter to Frederick Clodius, Undated (ca. 1652-53)
10. Laboratory Notebook, ca. July-August 1653 and January-March 1656
10A. "A Perfect Day Booke," 11-14 December 1655
11. Laboratory Notebook, ca. August 1653-March 1656
12. Laboratory Notebook, ca. November 1654-August 1656
13. Prefaces to the Epistle to King Edward Unfolded, 1657
14. Laboratory Notebook Fragment, 1658
15. Autobiographical and Laboratory Notes, September 1658 to 1660
16. Letters to Philip Frith, January-May 1663
Chymical Symbols
Glossary
Index