The Art of Distillation by John French (1651)

I am pleased to announce that The Art of Distillation is now available as Volume 15 in The R.A.M.S. Library of Alchemy.

John French (1616–1657) was an English physician known for his contributions to chemistry (in particular, distillation) as well as for his English translations of Latin and German works.

            He was born in 1616 at Broughton, near Banbury, Oxfordshire. He obtained a B.A. degree from Oxford University in 1637 and an M.A. in 1640, qualifying as a physician with an MD in 1648. He died in 1657 near Boulogne while serving as a physician to the English army.

            John French is chiefly remembered for publishing in 1651 The Art of Distillation, which is possibly the earliest detailed book on distillation. It is thought to be representative of the English chemistry of this period.

            John French was follower of Paracelsus’ school of alchemy/chemistry, which was skeptical of certain alchemical traditions yet dedicated to seeking medical uses for various chemicals and compounds. Note the frequent references to Paracelsus in this work.

This R.A.M.S. Library of Alchemy edition includes more than 40 meticulously restored illustrations from the 1651 edition, and footnotes to help guide the student of Alchemy.
It is essential to the study of Alchemy that every student master the basic principles explained herein, and in particular the Four Degrees of Fire and the Terms of Art as defined in Book 1.

The R.A.M.S. Library of Alchemy is published with permission of the Estate of Hans W. Nintzel.