Arnaldus de Villanova

Famous early alchemist who was also an astrologer, diplomat, and social reformer. He was regarded as a great authority on alchemy and is cited in many histories of the subject. Born in a Catalan family near Valencia, he was educated by Dominicans and studied medicine at Naples. His medical skill brought him a great reputation, and he treated kings, popes, and other famous people, which gave him reason to travel widely in Spain, France, Italy, and North Africa. He studied languages and was fluent in Arabic, Greek, and Latin. He became a favorite physician of James II, king of Aragon, and in 1285 he attended King Peter III of Aragon and was rewarded with the professorial chair of the University of Montpellier and a castle in Tarragona. However, his frank criticisms of the clergy of his time made many enemies in the church, and in 1299, during a diplomatic mission to Paris on behalf of James II of Aragon, he was arrested by order of the Holy Office and charged with heresy in his book on the Antichrist. After strong protests on his behalf to the King of France and Pope Boniface VIII, he was released in 1301.

He wrote many books on medicine and alchemy, although some works ascribed to him are probably wrongly attributed. During a visit to Naples, he met the famous alchemist Ramon Lully. In addition to his writings on alchemy, Arnaldus conducted some practical experiments. He died on a voyage from Sicily to Avignon, where he had been summoned to attend Pope Clement V, who was ill. Arnaldus was buried in Genoa.

His major work on alchemy, The Treasure of Treasures, Rosary of the Philosophers, was published in Italian and Latin. There is a lengthy account on Arnaldus in Histoire littéraire de la France by J. B. Hauréau, 1881.

Sources:

Waite, Arthur Edward. Alchemists through the Ages. Blauvelt, N.Y.: Rudolf Steiner Publications, 1970.