Source

The Secrets of Alchemy

Lawrence M. Principe's standard modern scholarly treatment of alchemy, published by the University of Chicago Press, treating it as both a real laboratory practice and a system of allegory, correcting older popular accounts that treated it as either purely mystical or purely proto-chemical. Principe's standing as a historian of science and the academic press publication place this at this atlas's top tier. It is a strong source for how alchemy was actually practiced and understood historically. As a single volume treatment, a claim about one specific alchemist or textual tradition in great depth may need a more specialized study alongside it.

Facts

Citation

Author

Lawrence M. Principe

Publisher

University of Chicago Press

Publication Year

2013

URL

https://www.bibliovault.org/BV.landing.epl?ISBN=9780226682952

Source Type

academic monograph

Assessment

Reliability Tier

The standard modern scholarly treatment of alchemy from a university press, treating it as both laboratory practice and allegory rather than as a living instructional text.

Notes

Standard modern scholarly treatment of alchemy as laboratory practice and as allegory.

Connections

Associated With

Chicago

This source names Chicago directly: "published by the University of Chicago Press, treating it as both a real laboratory practice and a system of allegory, correcting older popular accounts that treated it as either purely mystical or..."

Source The Secrets of AlchemyLawrence M. Principe

Claims Backed By This Source (917 claims)

This source backs 917 claims across the atlas. As facts: 614 well-attested, 2 scholarly debate, 1 open question. As cited relationships: 154 holds. Plus 146 entities citing it as a general reference with no single fact or relationship attached.

Disposition By Topic

Articles, 238 claims: 221 well-attested, 7 holds, 10 general references.
Alchemical Substances, 160 claims: 77 well-attested, 40 holds, 43 general references.
Alchemical Operations, 112 claims: 84 well-attested, 21 holds, 7 general references.
Alchemical Apparatus, 79 claims: 28 well-attested, 30 holds, 21 general references.
Esoteric Texts, 70 claims: 56 well-attested, 1 open question, 8 holds, 5 general references.
Metals, 58 claims: 36 well-attested, 14 holds, 8 general references.
Magnum Opus Stages, 40 claims: 28 well-attested, 8 holds, 4 general references.
Historical Figures, 33 claims: 18 well-attested, 2 scholarly debate, 5 holds, 8 general references.
Categories, 22 claims: 18 well-attested, 4 general references.
Alchemical Principles, 21 claims: 12 well-attested, 6 holds, 3 general references.
Periodic Elements, 19 claims: 2 holds, 17 general references.
Colors, 14 claims: 7 holds, 7 general references.
Mythical Creatures, 12 claims: 7 well-attested, 2 holds, 3 general references.
Disciplines, 10 claims: 7 well-attested, 2 holds, 1 general references.
Sources, 9 claims: 8 well-attested, 1 holds.
Subcategories, 9 claims: 7 well-attested, 2 general references.
Open Questions, 8 claims: 6 well-attested, 1 holds, 1 general references.
Figures, 2 claims: 1 well-attested, 1 general references.
Doctrines, 1 claims: 1 general references.