Thomas Vaughan and the Rosicrucian Revival in Britain

Thomas Willard (Ph.D. 1978) University of Toronto, is Emeritus Professor of English at the University of Arizona. He has published articles and book chapters related to this study and, most recently, a collection of essays on nature in the pre-modern world.

• AcknowledgmentsList of FiguresAbbreviationsA Note on QuotationsIntroduction Double Obscurity1 The Progress: A Life of Thomas Vaughan1 Wales2 Oxford3 Civil War4 London5 Publishing6 Profession7 Marriage8 Patronage2 The Bookish Faith: Vaughan’s Reading and Influences1 The Biblical Tradition2 The Platonic Philosophy3 Magic4 Cabala5 Alchemy6 The Rosy Cross7 Tradition and the Individual3 Not Easily Apprehended: Vaughan’s Language and Writings1 Part One: The Alphabet of Nature1.1 Magical Writing1.2 Alchemical Rhetoric1.3 Oracular and Vernacular1.4 Center and Circumference2 Part Two: The Key to the Lock2.1 Anthroposophia Theomagica2.2 Anima Magica Abscondita2.3 Magia Adamica2.4 Coelum Terrae2.5 Lumen de Lumine2.6 Aula Lucis2.7 Preface to The Fame and Confession2.8 Euphrates2.9 Preface to The Chymists Key2.10 Flint, Fire, and Tears: Vaughan’s English Poetry4 Numbered amongst Ranters: Vaughan’s Reputation1 The Pamphlet Debate2 The Stylist, Rival, and Source3 The Satiric Butt4 The Legendary Adept5 The Research SubjectConclusion Invisible HistoryAppendix 1 Annotations in Theatrum Chemicum BritannicumAppendix 2 Preface to Humane IndustryAppendix 3 Excerpts from The Ladies ChampionAppendix 4 The Term “Spiritual Alchemy”BibliographyIndex of NamesIndex of SubjectsIndex of Bible Citations