List of alchemists
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An alchemist is a person versed in the art of alchemy. Western alchemy flourished in Greco-Roman Egypt, the Islamic world during the Middle Ages, and then in Europe from the 13th to the 18th centuries. Indian alchemists and Chinese alchemists made contributions to Eastern varieties of the art. Alchemy is still practiced today by a few, and alchemist characters still appear in recent fictional works and video games.
A large number of alchemists are known from the thousands of surviving alchemical manuscripts and books. Some of their names are listed below. Due to the tradition of pseudepigraphy, the true author of some alchemical writings may differ from the name most often associated with that work. Some well-known historical figures such as Albertus Magnus and Aristotle are often incorrectly named amongst the alchemists as a result.
Legendary alchemists
Alchemists in Greco-Roman Egypt
Indian alchemists
- Kanada, sage and philosopher (6th century BC)
- Nagarjuna, the 10th century South Indian king
- Yogi Vemana
Chinese alchemists
- Wei Boyang
- Zhang Guo the Elder (ca. 600)
Islamic alchemists
European alchemists
Revival and modern alchemists
- Frater Albertus (Dr. Albert Reidel) (1911–1984)
- Eugène Canseliet (1899–1982)
- Jean Dubuis (1919–2010)
- Marie-Louise von Franz (1915–1998)
- Terrence McKenna (1946–2000)
- Diane Di Prima (1932 – )