John Dee
Sign in to save16th-century English mathematician, astrologer, and alchemist
AI overview
John Dee was a 16th-century English scholar who practiced mathematics, astrology, and alchemy—fields that blended scientific inquiry with mystical and magical traditions during the Renaissance. He matters as a historical figure because his work reflects how educated people of his era pursued knowledge across what we now see as separate disciplines, and his extensive writings and activities influenced intellectual circles in England.
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Person · Open Library
- Born
- 1527
- Died
- 1608
- Works
- 65
Top works
- Epistola fratris Rogerii Baconis, De secretis operibus artis et naturae, et de nullitate magiae
- Elements of geometry
- Libro del modo di dividere le svperficie
- Parallaticae commentationis praxeosq
- A triple almanacke for the yeere of our Lorde God 1591, being the thirde from the leape yeare
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Listeners · Last.fm
- Listeners
- 9,994
- Total plays
- 55,997
Tags
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Article
John Dee (13 July 1527 – December 1608 or March 1609) was an English mathematician, astronomer, teacher, astrologer, occultist, and alchemist. He was the court astronomer for, and advisor to, Elizabeth I, and spent much of his time on alchemy, divination, and Hermetic philosophy. As an antiquarian, he had one of the largest libraries in England at the time. As a political advisor, he advocated the foundation of English colonies in the New World to form a "British Empire", a term he is credited with coining.
Dee eventually left Elizabeth's service and went on a quest for knowledge of the occult and supernatural. He aligned himself with several individuals who may have been charlatans, travelled through Europe, and was accused of spying for the English Crown. Upon his return to England, he found his home and library vandalised. He eventually returned to the Queen's service, but was turned away when she was succeeded by James I. He died in poverty in London, and his gravesite is unknown.