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Translation with emendations of Opus galli anonymi by Sir Isaac Newton

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https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/7abf6a50-57a1-0136-502d-0050569601ca-a
No Copyright - United States (RightsStatements.org)

No Copyright - United States

Supplementary Document

Title
Isaac Newton's Alchemy - RBR talk Nov 2018 with image credits.pdf
Rights
No Copyright - United States
Collection
Translation with emendations of Opus galli anonymi by Sir Isaac Newton

Descriptive Information

Title
Translation with emendations of Opus galli anonymi by Sir Isaac Newton
Alternative Title
Opus galli anonymi
Creator
Newton, Isaac, 1642-1727  
Date
1690s  
Publication Place
England  
Description
  • Sir Isaac Newton was a mathematician, astronomer, and physicist, who was a key figure in the scientific revolution. His book 'Philosophiae naturalis principia mathematica' formulated the laws of motion and universal gravitation. He was also a keen student of chemistry, and in that context he developed his interest in alchemy, in particular the formulation of the philosopher's stone.
  • Newton's manuscript translation of an anonymous French work detailing the creation of the philosopher's stone. His inscription on front wrapper below title 'Opus galli anonymi' indicates that the procedures described in the text are similar to that of the French alchemical physician Pierre-Jean Fabre in his work L'abregé des secrets chymiques. No comparable source text is known, however. Newton's heavy emendations and corrections suggest that he was not merely transcribing, but extemporaneously creating an original translation from the French text, possibly with his own interpretations and elucidations.
  • Title devised by cataloger.
  • Provenance: Isaac Newton -- Catherine Barton (1679-1739) -- by descent, sold at Sotheby's, July 1936, lot 67, as part of the Portsmouth Papers, to bookseller Emmanuel Fabius.
  • Probably written in the decade following publication of Newton's work Principia in 1687.
  • Paper watermarked with the arms of London.
Extent
1 item (8 pages)
Dimensions
29 x 18 cm (2 bifolia), in paper wrapper.
Language
Latin
Topical subject
Alchemy  
Genre Subject
Manuscripts  
Collection Title
Translation with emendations of Opus galli anonymi by Sir Isaac Newton
Rights
No Copyright - United States
Acquisition information
  • Purchased with a generous donation from James and Lionelle Elsesser.
  • Acquisition made accessible thanks to the generous support of the E. Kenneth Gray Endowment Fund.
Bibliographic Identifier
8593514
Call Number
Post-1650 MS 0676
Collection
Translation with emendations of Opus galli anonymi by Sir Isaac Newton
TitleTranslation with emendations of Opus galli anonymi by Sir Isaac Newton
Alternative TitleOpus galli anonymi
CreatorNewton, Isaac, 1642-1727  
Date1690s  
Publication PlaceEngland  
Description
  • Sir Isaac Newton was a mathematician, astronomer, and physicist, who was a key figure in the scientific revolution. His book 'Philosophiae naturalis principia mathematica' formulated the laws of motion and universal gravitation. He was also a keen student of chemistry, and in that context he developed his interest in alchemy, in particular the formulation of the philosopher's stone.
  • Newton's manuscript translation of an anonymous French work detailing the creation of the philosopher's stone. His inscription on front wrapper below title 'Opus galli anonymi' indicates that the procedures described in the text are similar to that of the French alchemical physician Pierre-Jean Fabre in his work L'abregé des secrets chymiques. No comparable source text is known, however. Newton's heavy emendations and corrections suggest that he was not merely transcribing, but extemporaneously creating an original translation from the French text, possibly with his own interpretations and elucidations.
  • Title devised by cataloger.
  • Provenance: Isaac Newton -- Catherine Barton (1679-1739) -- by descent, sold at Sotheby's, July 1936, lot 67, as part of the Portsmouth Papers, to bookseller Emmanuel Fabius.
  • Probably written in the decade following publication of Newton's work Principia in 1687.
  • Paper watermarked with the arms of London.
Extent1 item (8 pages)
Dimensions29 x 18 cm (2 bifolia), in paper wrapper.
LanguageLatin
Topical subjectAlchemy  
Genre SubjectManuscripts  
Collection TitleTranslation with emendations of Opus galli anonymi by Sir Isaac Newton
RightsNo Copyright - United States
Acquisition information
  • Purchased with a generous donation from James and Lionelle Elsesser.
  • Acquisition made accessible thanks to the generous support of the E. Kenneth Gray Endowment Fund.
Bibliographic Identifier8593514
Call NumberPost-1650 MS 0676
CollectionTranslation with emendations of Opus galli anonymi by Sir Isaac Newton

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