Basil Valentine

18th century illustration to 3rd key, in Duodecim Claves

Basil Valentine is the Anglicised version of the name Basilius Valentinus, who was allegedly a 15th-century alchemist. There are claims that he was the Canon of the Benedictine Priory of Saint Peter in Erfurt, Germany but according to John Maxson Stillman, who wrote on the history of chemistry, the records there is no evidence of such a name on the rolls in Germany or Rome and no mention of this name before 1600. During the 18th century it was suggested that the author of the works attributed to him was Johann Thölde.

Writings

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.

Latin only

• Currus Triumphalis Antimonii (The triumphal chariot of antimony)
• Duodecim Claves philosophicæ (The twelve philosophical keys)

In Latin and German

• Porta sophica
• The Medicine of Metals
• Of things natural and supernatural
• Of the first tincture, root and spirit of metals
• De microcosmo deque magno mundi mysterio, et medicina hominis, (Of the microcosm, of the great secrecy of the world, and the human medicine)
• Libri quattuor de particularibus septem planetarum, (Book four: Of the features of the seven planets)
• Experimenta chymica
• Practica
• Azoth
• Compendium veritatis philosophicum (German)
• Last will and testament

See also

• List of Roman Catholic scientist-clerics
• Three hares

External links

• Of Natural and Supernatural Things by Basilius Valentinus
• Works by Basilius Valentinus at Project Gutenberg
• Transcription of Triumphal Chariot of Antimony
• Transcription of the supremacy of the seven planets (German)
• Transcription of Last will and testament

References

• Paracelsus article by Alan G. Hefner
• Waite, Arthur Edward (1992). Secret Tradition in Alchemy. Kessinger Publishing. ISBN 0922802831.