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.

Acknowledgments


List of Figures


Abbreviations


A Note on Quotations


Introduction Double Obscurity


1 The Progress: A Life of Thomas Vaughan

 1 Wales


 2 Oxford


 3 Civil War


 4 London


 5 Publishing


 6 Profession


 7 Marriage


 8 Patronage




2 The Bookish Faith: Vaughan’s Reading and Influences

 1 The Biblical Tradition


 2 The Platonic Philosophy


 3 Magic


 4 Cabala


 5 Alchemy


 6 The Rosy Cross


 7 Tradition and the Individual




3 Not Easily Apprehended: Vaughan’s Language and Writings

 1 Part One: The Alphabet of Nature

 1.1 Magical Writing


 1.2 Alchemical Rhetoric


 1.3 Oracular and Vernacular


 1.4 Center and Circumference




 2 Part Two: The Key to the Lock

 2.1 Anthroposophia Theomagica


 2.2 Anima Magica Abscondita


 2.3 Magia Adamica


 2.4 Coelum Terrae


 2.5 Lumen de Lumine


 2.6 Aula Lucis


 2.7 Preface to The Fame and Confession


 2.8 Euphrates


 2.9 Preface to The Chymists Key


 2.10 Flint, Fire, and Tears: Vaughan’s English Poetry




4 Numbered amongst Ranters: Vaughan’s Reputation

 1 The Pamphlet Debate


 2 The Stylist, Rival, and Source


 3 The Satiric Butt


 4 The Legendary Adept


 5 The Research Subject




Conclusion Invisible History


Appendix 1 Annotations in Theatrum Chemicum Britannicum


Appendix 2 Preface to Humane Industry


Appendix 3 Excerpts from The Ladies Champion


Appendix 4 The Term “Spiritual Alchemy”


Bibliography


Index of Names


Index of Subjects


Index of Bible Citations