Gehennical Fire: The Lives of George Starkey, an American Alchemist in the Scientific Revolution [Paperback]

Both the quest for natural knowledge and the aspiration to alchemical wisdom played crucial roles in the Scientific Revolution, as William R. Newman demonstrates in this fascinating book about George Starkey (1628-1665), America's first famous scientist. Beginning with Starkey's unusual education in colonial New England, Newman traces out his many interconnected careers—natural philosopher, alchemist, chemist, medical practitioner, economic projector, and creator of the fabulous adept, Eirenaeus Philalethes. Newman reveals the profound impact Starkey had on the work of Isaac Newton, Robert Boyle, Samuel Hartlib, and other key thinkers in the realm of early modern science.

William R. Newmanis a professor of history of science at Indiana University. He is the author ofThe Summa Perfectionis of Pseudo-Geber: A Critical Edition, Translation and Studyand coauthor ofAlchemy Tried in the Fire: Starkey, Boyle, and the Fate of Helmontian Chymistry, the latter published by the University of Chicago Press.

Acknowledgments
A Note on Terminology
Foreword, 2002
Introduction
1 Starkey in America
2 Arcan Maiora: The Hartlib Years (1650-1654)
3 The Background to Starkey's Chymistry
4 Revelation and Concealment: The Writings of Philaleths
5 A Sonne of Contention: 1655-1665
6 Philalethes in Context
7 Isaac Newton and Eirenaeus Philalethes
Appendix IStarkey's Addresses in England, 1650-1665
Appendix IIAn Autobiographical Note by George Starkey
Appendix IIIMissing Starkey Manuscripts
Appendix IVRobert Boyle's Excuses of Philaletha
Appendix VA Bibliography of Starkey's Writings
Abbreviations
Notes
Index

Both the quest for natural knowledge and the aspiration to alchemical wisdom played crucial roles in the Scientific Revolution, as William R. Newman demonstrates in this fascinating book about George Starkey (1628-1665), America's first famous scientist. Belc5