Atomic Models: AA-H2: Isaac Newton and Alchemy

The name Isaac Newton is synonymous with physics. The man is considered by many to be the godfather of modern theory, having been credited with the invention of calculus and the three laws of motion still used in physics today. He has become an icon in the fields of mathematics and physics, and was recently voted as the second most influential man in history, behind only the Prophet Mohammed and before Jesus Christ. It is ironic then that Newton was a staunch Christian and saw his work in the fields of science as a way to prove the existence of a Christian God. This led him to the study of Alchemy (Chymistry) which it is now becoming accepted that he spent more time studying than the fields for which he is world-famous. How involved was he in this, and how does this compare with his comparatively reputable study in mathematics and physics?

Over 30 years he wrote a million words in 100 manuscripts on the subject. In 1936 in Sotheby’s in London, a cache of his writings on Alchemy was sold containing journals, notebooks and personal writings. Through this we know that his dedication to the field was great indeed, and may have been even greater still, however the true number of writings is unknown for several reasons. Newton is well known for never writing down his work, he famously calculated the elliptical orbit of planets before it was considered to be a solution, but never told anyone until approached. It was also illegal in his time to practise Alchemy due to Royal fears of a devaluing of gold due to any success, as well as the fear of swindling of investors that Alchemists could be so easily achieve. One final reason for the relative ignorance of Newton’s alchemical work is that a fire in his laboratory (started by his dog) destroyed an estimated 20 years worth of his manuscripts. Because of all these conditions, the work on alchemy written by Newton may be even more exhaustive than we know today.

Newton wrote so extensively on Alchemy, but never published any, that many are now attempting to have his work published in order to do two things: to investigate the laboratory techniques of Newton’s time and to replicate contemporary equipment and experiments. Newton collated an exhaustive collection of works from other Alchemists in order to gain a better understanding in the field; in fact he was credited as being the most informed person on the subject before or since.

The areas in which Newton studied alchemy were related to his monotheist beliefs and faith in biblical prophecies. He believed that to study God’s creations was to prove the existence of his beauty, and indeed his existence. Whilst Alchemy is viewed today as somewhat of a pseudo-science, in Newton’s day it was lauded as a true scientific field. Newton brought the two ideas of science and religion together. He believed that science without religion can become cold and austere, and that religion can degenerate into superstition. He saw to produce ‘philosophical mercury’ as the first step to a Philosopher’s Stone (the elixir of everlasting life) and a universal solvent. Dual to this monumental challenge was ‘everyday alchemy’ consisting of three areas:

· The production of pigments, dyes, acids and strong drinks (these tasks were generally done by Alchemists to provide income)

· The production of mineral based drugs

· (Most importantly to Newton) The search for a formula for turning based metals into valuable metals such as Gold (Chrysopoeia)

Newton was involved in all three areas, and experimented exhaustively on the nature of matter and its interactions. In doing so, he was attempting to unify existing knowledge into a ‘grand unification theory’ of the world God created. This aim of refining theories and formulas to include one another is still effected in science today.

Newton is universally known for his work in mathematics and physics, one of the most famous examples of which being his work in optics where he discovered that light does not change its properties by entering different mediums. Some argue that his success with this pursuit was made possible by the cross-discipline benefits of working in Alchemy. This notion is supported in his book “Opticks” where he relates light to ‘the alchemical agent’. He posited:

“May not bodies receive much of their activity from the particles of light which enter their composition?” (Newton, Opticks)

How then do we compare the much lauded works of Newton in mathematics and physics to the now discredited pursuit of Alchemy? We must understand that Alchemy was seen as a true science in Newton’s time, and Newton saw it as a way to prove the existence of God – seeing the noble merits within the subject. The processes involved and the methods required to experiment with and document the interactions of varying substances may have even led Newton to successes in other fields rather than serving only as the pursuit of Mysticism. Why then did Newton never publish any works on Alchemy when he did so for other fields? For the reasons stated above, it was dangerous for Newton to do so, and it seems he considered Alchemy as a personal endeavour. Being a religious man, he regarded it more as his duty to his God, and as part of his wider studies of his earth. Many scientists in this time were cross-discipline experts, where they would study many different fields so it was not unusual for Newton to study to seemingly polar-opposite topics. We should include these points when we think of Newton, the man who gave us the means to understand our occupied space. Any way in which he achieved this, is not to be discredited. To quote John Maynard Keynes, the man who bought Newton’s writings in 1936:

“Newton was not the first of the age of reason, he was the last of the magicians.”