Basil Valentine is the Anglicised version of the name Basilius Valentinus, ostensibly a 15th-century alchemist, possibly Canon of the BenedictinePriory of Saint Peter in Erfurt, Germany but more likely a pseudonym used by one or several 16th-century German authors.
"Frater Basilius Valentinus, monk of the Benedictine order and Hermetic philosopher": imaginary portrait in the frontispiece from Chymische Schrifften, 1717[1]The Peterskirche, Erfurt, as it appeared in 2007
According to John Maxson Stillman, who wrote on the history of chemistry, there is no evidence of such a name on the rolls in Germany or Rome and no mention of this name before 1600.[2] His putative history, like his imaginary portrait, appears to be of later creation than the writings themselves.
During the 18th century it was suggested that the author of the works attributed to Basil Valentine was Johann Thölde, a salt manufacturer in Germany who lived roughly 1565-1624.[2][3] Modern scholarship now suggests that one author was Thölde, but that others were involved. Thölde published the first five books under Valentine's name.[4]: 138–140
Whoever he was, Basil Valentine had considerable knowledge of chemistry. He demonstrated that ammonia could be obtained by the action of alkali on sal-ammoniac (ammonium chloride), described the production of hydrochloric acid by acidifying brine of common salt (sodium chloride), and created ethyl chloride[5] and oil of vitriol (sulfuric acid), among other achievements.[6]
The Twelve Keys of Basil Valentine is a widely reproduced alchemical book attributed to Valentine, first published in 1599 by Johann Thölde.[2] It contains two parts, the second of which houses the twelve keys. These were accompanied by woodcut engravings from later publications in the early seventeenth century.
Selected publicationsedit
Table of alchemical symbols, from an English translation of his Last Will and Testament, 1671
Numerous publications on alchemy in Latin and German were published under the name Basil Valentine. They have been translated into many European languages, including English, French, Russian and others. The following list is roughly organized in order of translation or publication date.
Ein kurtz summarischer Tractat, von dem grossen Stein der Uralten..., (Of the great stone of the ancients), by Basilius Valentinus. Eisleben: 1599 (without illustrations) (German)
Ein kurtz summarischer Tractat, von dem grossen Stein der Uralten..., Leipzig: 1602 (with woodcuts) (German)
Triumph Wagen Antimonii, (The Triumphant Chariot of Antimony) by Basil Valentine; Johannes Isaaci Hollandus; Joachim Tank; Georg Phaedro; Roger Bacon. Leipzig : In Verlegung Jacob Apels, 1604. (German)
De microcosmo deque magno mundi mysterio, et medicina hominis, (Of the microcosm, of the great secrecy of the world, and the human medicine), by Basilius Valentinus; Wolfgang Ketzel; Raphael Eglinus. Marpurgi : typis Guolgangi Kezelii, 1609. (Latin)
A Latin translation of the text of Ein kurtz summarischer Tractat as Tripus Aureus, hoc est, Tres Tractatus Chymici Selectissimi, nempe I. Basilii Valentini...Practica una cum 12 clavibus & appendice, ex Germanico, Michael Maier (editor), Frankfurt: Paul Jacob for Lucas Jennis, 1618. (with engravings of the 12 keys) (Latin)
Azoth, ou le moyen de faire l'or caché des philosophes, de frère Basile Valentin by Basilius Valentinus; Christofle Perier; Jeremie Perier. (French) Paris: Chez Ieremie & Christofle Perier, au Palais, MDCXXIV 1624. (French)
Les dovze clefs de philosophie de Frere Basile Valentin ... Traictant de la vraye medecine matalique. Plus l'Azoth, ou Le moyen de faire l'or chaché des philosophes. Tradvction francoise. by Basilius Valentinus. Paris, Chez Ieremie et Christophle Perier, 1624. (French)
Fratris Basilii Valentini,... letztes Testament und Offenbahrung der himmlischen und virdischen Geheimnüss, so in einem Altar gefunden, in fünff Bücher abgetheilet... zuvor nie in Druck aussgangen, jetzt aber... publiciret durch Georgium Claromontanum,... by Basile Valentin; Georg Hellberger dit Georgius Claromontanus. Iena : H. Eyrings und J. Perferts Erben, 1626. (German)
Revelation des mysteres des teintures essentieles des sept metaux et de leurs vertus médicinales... by Basile Valentin; translated by Jean Israël. Paris : J. De Senlecque et J. Hénault, 1645. (French)
Currus triumphalis antimonii : opus antiquioris medicinae et philosophiae hermeticae studiosis dicat, by Basilius Valentinus. Tolosae : Apud Petrum Bosc, 1646. (The triumphal chariot of antimony) [7] (Latin)
Le char triomphal de l'antimoine, translation by Sauvin, François, 17th century (1646), introduction by Sylvain Matton; préface by Joachim Tancky. Editions Retz, 1977, 254 p. [1] (French)
Les livres secrets et le dernier testament de frere Basile Valentin Benedictin, de la grande pierre des anciens philosophes et autres mysteres cachés de la nature. Le tout tiré et transcrit de l'original trouvé dans le haut autel sous une petite table de marbre a Erfurt et mis en lumiere ou imprimé a línstante priere des enfans de la science ... by Basilius Valentinus. (French) Strasbourg: 1651. (French)
Les douze clefs de philosophie de frere Basile Valentin ... : traictant de la vraye medecine metalique : plus l'Azoth, ou, Le moyen de faire l'or caché des philosophes : traduction francoise. Basilius Valentinus.; Jean Gobille; Clovis Hesteau Nuisement, sieur de. Paris : Chez Pierre Moët ..., 1660. (French)
Of natural and supernatural things : also, of the first tincture, root, and spirit of metals and minerals by Basilius Valentinus. London : Printed, and are to be sold by Moses Pitt, 1670.[8] (English)
The last will and testament of Basil Valentine, monke of the order of St. Bennet, by Basil Valentine; translated by John Worlidge. London : Printed by S.G. and B.G. for Edward Brewster, 1671. (English)[9]
Chymische Schrifften by Basilius Valentinus. Hamburg: 1677. (German)
Les douze clefs de la philosophie. Eugène Canseliet, translator. Paris, Éditions de Minuit, 1956, 264 p. [2] (French)
Révélations des mystères des teintures des sept métaux, Pierre Savoret, editor. Omnium littéraire, 1976. (French) [3]
Le dernier testament de Basile Valentin : livres I, II, III, IV et V, dans lequel sont montrées les mines, l'origine d'icelles, leurs natures et propriétés... by Basile Valentin; edited by Joseph Castelli. Montélimar : Castelli, 2008. (French)[10]
Las doce llaves de la filosofía by Basilius Valentinus. Barcelona: Muñoz Moya y Montraveta, 1986. (Spanish)
^Valentinus, Basilius (1717). Chymische Schrifften. Hamburg: Samuel Heyle.
^ abcStillman, John Maxson (December 1912). "Basil Valentine, a Seventeenth Century Hoax". Popular Science Monthly. Retrieved 19 February 2011.
^Mellor, Joseph William (1922). A Comprehensive Treatise on Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry. London, New York: Longmans, Green and Co. p. 53. ISBN9780608186825.
^Principe, Lawrence M. (2013). The Secrets of Alchemy. Chicago and London: The University of Chicago Press. ISBN9780226923789.
^Rossberg, M.; Lendle, W.; Pfleiderer, G.; Tögel, A.; Dreher, E. L.; Langer, E.; Rassaerts, H.; Kleinschmidt, P.; Strack (2006). "Chlorinated Hydrocarbons". Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH. doi:10.1002/14356007.a06_233.pub2.
^Datta, N. C. (2005). The Story of Chemistry. Hyderabad: Universities Press. p. 56. ISBN9788173715303.
^Valentinus, Basilius. "Of natural and supernatural things". Othmer Library Catalog. Science History Institute.
^Valentinus, Basilius (1671) [original date unknown]. The last will and testament of Basil Valentine, monke of the order of St. Bennet. Translated by Worlidge, Johannes (1st ed.). London: S. G. and B. G. for Edward Brewster.
^Valentinus, Basilius (2008) [original date unknown]. Castelli, Joseph (ed.). Le dernier testament de Basile Valentin : livres I, II, III, IV et V, dans lequel sont montrées les mines, l'origine d'icelles, leurs natures et propriétés... [The last testament of Basil Valentin: books I, II, III, IV and V, in which are shown the mines, the origin of them, their natures and properties...]. Alchemy (in French). Montélimar. ISBN9782353170449.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
Transcription of Azoth, ou le moyen de faire l'or caché des philosophes, de frère Basile Valentin
Library Catalog entry for Last will and testament
Musaeum Hermeticum Reformatum et Amplificatum (1678) from Science History Institute Digital Collections.
December 13, 2023
basil, valentine, anglicised, version, name, basilius, valentinus, ostensibly, 15th, century, alchemist, possibly, canon, benedictine, priory, saint, peter, erfurt, germany, more, likely, pseudonym, used, several, 16th, century, german, authors, frater, basili. Basil Valentine is the Anglicised version of the name Basilius Valentinus ostensibly a 15th century alchemist possibly Canon of the Benedictine Priory of Saint Peter in Erfurt Germany but more likely a pseudonym used by one or several 16th century German authors Frater Basilius Valentinus monk of the Benedictine order and Hermetic philosopher imaginary portrait in the frontispiece from Chymische Schrifften 1717 1 The Peterskirche Erfurt as it appeared in 2007According to John Maxson Stillman who wrote on the history of chemistry there is no evidence of such a name on the rolls in Germany or Rome and no mention of this name before 1600 2 His putative history like his imaginary portrait appears to be of later creation than the writings themselves During the 18th century it was suggested that the author of the works attributed to Basil Valentine was Johann Tholde a salt manufacturer in Germany who lived roughly 1565 1624 2 3 Modern scholarship now suggests that one author was Tholde but that others were involved Tholde published the first five books under Valentine s name 4 138 140 Whoever he was Basil Valentine had considerable knowledge of chemistry He demonstrated that ammonia could be obtained by the action of alkali on sal ammoniac ammonium chloride described the production of hydrochloric acid by acidifying brine of common salt sodium chloride and created ethyl chloride 5 and oil of vitriol sulfuric acid among other achievements 6 Contents 1 The Twelve Keys of Basil Valentine 2 Selected publications 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksThe Twelve Keys of Basil Valentine edit nbsp Illustration of the first keyMain article The Twelve Keys of Basil Valentine The Twelve Keys of Basil Valentine is a widely reproduced alchemical book attributed to Valentine first published in 1599 by Johann Tholde 2 It contains two parts the second of which houses the twelve keys These were accompanied by woodcut engravings from later publications in the early seventeenth century Selected publications edit nbsp Table of alchemical symbols from an English translation of his Last Will and Testament 1671Numerous publications on alchemy in Latin and German were published under the name Basil Valentine They have been translated into many European languages including English French Russian and others The following list is roughly organized in order of translation or publication date Ein kurtz summarischer Tractat von dem grossen Stein der Uralten Of the great stone of the ancients by Basilius Valentinus Eisleben 1599 without illustrations German Ein kurtz summarischer Tractat von dem grossen Stein der Uralten Leipzig 1602 with woodcuts German Triumph Wagen Antimonii The Triumphant Chariot of Antimony by Basil Valentine Johannes Isaaci Hollandus Joachim Tank Georg Phaedro Roger Bacon Leipzig In Verlegung Jacob Apels 1604 German De microcosmo deque magno mundi mysterio et medicina hominis Of the microcosm of the great secrecy of the world and the human medicine by Basilius Valentinus Wolfgang Ketzel Raphael Eglinus Marpurgi typis Guolgangi Kezelii 1609 Latin A Latin translation of the text of Ein kurtz summarischer Tractat as Tripus Aureus hoc est Tres Tractatus Chymici Selectissimi nempe I Basilii Valentini Practica una cum 12 clavibus amp appendice ex Germanico Michael Maier editor Frankfurt Paul Jacob for Lucas Jennis 1618 with engravings of the 12 keys Latin Azoth ou le moyen de faire l or cache des philosophes de frere Basile Valentin by Basilius Valentinus Christofle Perier Jeremie Perier French Paris Chez Ieremie amp Christofle Perier au Palais MDCXXIV 1624 French Les dovze clefs de philosophie de Frere Basile Valentin Traictant de la vraye medecine matalique Plus l Azoth ou Le moyen de faire l or chache des philosophes Tradvction francoise by Basilius Valentinus Paris Chez Ieremie et Christophle Perier 1624 French Fratris Basilii Valentini letztes Testament und Offenbahrung der himmlischen und virdischen Geheimnuss so in einem Altar gefunden in funff Bucher abgetheilet zuvor nie in Druck aussgangen jetzt aber publiciret durch Georgium Claromontanum by Basile Valentin Georg Hellberger dit Georgius Claromontanus Iena H Eyrings und J Perferts Erben 1626 German Revelation des mysteres des teintures essentieles des sept metaux et de leurs vertus medicinales by Basile Valentin translated by Jean Israel Paris J De Senlecque et J Henault 1645 French Currus triumphalis antimonii opus antiquioris medicinae et philosophiae hermeticae studiosis dicat by Basilius Valentinus Tolosae Apud Petrum Bosc 1646 The triumphal chariot of antimony 7 Latin Le char triomphal de l antimoine translation by Sauvin Francois 17th century 1646 introduction by Sylvain Matton preface by Joachim Tancky Editions Retz 1977 254 p 1 French Les livres secrets et le dernier testament de frere Basile Valentin Benedictin de la grande pierre des anciens philosophes et autres mysteres caches de la nature Le tout tire et transcrit de l original trouve dans le haut autel sous une petite table de marbre a Erfurt et mis en lumiere ou imprime a linstante priere des enfans de la science by Basilius Valentinus French Strasbourg 1651 French Les douze clefs de philosophie de frere Basile Valentin traictant de la vraye medecine metalique plus l Azoth ou Le moyen de faire l or cache des philosophes traduction francoise Basilius Valentinus Jean Gobille Clovis Hesteau Nuisement sieur de Paris Chez Pierre Moet 1660 French Of natural and supernatural things also of the first tincture root and spirit of metals and minerals by Basilius Valentinus London Printed and are to be sold by Moses Pitt 1670 8 English The last will and testament of Basil Valentine monke of the order of St Bennet by Basil Valentine translated by John Worlidge London Printed by S G and B G for Edward Brewster 1671 English 9 Chymische Schrifften by Basilius Valentinus Hamburg 1677 German Compendium veritatis philosophicum fratis Basilii Valentini Manuscript Ms 180 1780 German Les douze clefs de la philosophie Eugene Canseliet translator Paris Editions de Minuit 1956 264 p 2 French Revelations des mysteres des teintures des sept metaux Pierre Savoret editor Omnium litteraire 1976 French 3 Le dernier testament de Basile Valentin livres I II III IV et V dans lequel sont montrees les mines l origine d icelles leurs natures et proprietes by Basile Valentin edited by Joseph Castelli Montelimar Castelli 2008 French 10 Las doce llaves de la filosofia by Basilius Valentinus Barcelona Munoz Moya y Montraveta 1986 Spanish See also editList of Catholic clergy scientistsReferences edit Valentinus Basilius 1717 Chymische Schrifften Hamburg Samuel Heyle a b c Stillman John Maxson December 1912 Basil Valentine a Seventeenth Century Hoax Popular Science Monthly Retrieved 19 February 2011 Mellor Joseph William 1922 A Comprehensive Treatise on Inorganic and Theoretical Chemistry London New York Longmans Green and Co p 53 ISBN 9780608186825 Principe Lawrence M 2013 The Secrets of Alchemy Chicago and London The University of Chicago Press ISBN 9780226923789 Rossberg M Lendle W Pfleiderer G Togel A Dreher E L Langer E Rassaerts H Kleinschmidt P Strack 2006 Chlorinated Hydrocarbons Ullmann s Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry Weinheim Wiley VCH doi 10 1002 14356007 a06 233 pub2 Datta N C 2005 The Story of Chemistry Hyderabad Universities Press p 56 ISBN 9788173715303 Valentinus Basilius Triumph Wagen Antimonii Othmer Library Catalog Science History Institute Valentinus Basilius Of natural and supernatural things Othmer Library Catalog Science History Institute Valentinus Basilius 1671 original date unknown The last will and testament of Basil Valentine monke of the order of St Bennet Translated by Worlidge Johannes 1st ed London S G and B G for Edward Brewster Valentinus Basilius 2008 original date unknown Castelli Joseph ed Le dernier testament de Basile Valentin livres I II III IV et V dans lequel sont montrees les mines l origine d icelles leurs natures et proprietes The last testament of Basil Valentin books I II III IV and V in which are shown the mines the origin of them their natures and properties Alchemy in French Montelimar ISBN 9782353170449 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint location missing publisher link External links editWorks by Basilius Valentinus at Project Gutenberg Works by or about Basil Valentine at Internet Archive Transcription of Triumphal Chariot of Antimony Transcription of Azoth ou le moyen de faire l or cache des philosophes de frere Basile Valentin Library Catalog entry for Last will and testament Musaeum Hermeticum Reformatum et Amplificatum 1678 from Science History Institute Digital Collections Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Basil Valentine amp oldid 1176582486, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
