William R. Newman is Distinguished Professor and Ruth N. Halls Professor in the Department of History and Philosophy of Science and Medicine at Indiana University. His many books include Atoms and Alchemy: Chymistry and the Experimental Origins of the Scientific Revolution and Promethean Ambitions: Alchemy and the Quest to Perfect Nature. He lives in Bloomington, Indiana.
"[A] brilliantly detailed book. . . . Newman’s patient research has
produced a masterpiece of scientific history . . . that will still
be read in a century."---Dmitri Levitin, Literary Review
"Newton the Alchemist is unquestionably a significant reappraisal
of one of the most iconic figures in the history of science. As
such, the stakes are high, and scholars of Isaac Newton and the
history of alchemy will no doubt grapple with Newman’s arguments
for some time to come."---Tara Nummedal, Isis
"The most thorough, penetrating, and perceptive analysis of
Newton’s alchemy ever to appear."---John Henry, Annals of
Science
"Keeping a careful balance between the detailed reconstruction –
and reproduction – of chymical processes and the portrayal of those
authors and texts which influenced Newton’s practices, Newton the
Alchemist will remain, probably for years to come, the most
complete account – spanning on thirty years – of how the natural
philosopher approached the quest for the Philosophers
Stone."---Lavinia Maddaluno, Nuncius
"[A] magisterial study.—Thomas Willard, Renaissance Quarterly"
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