John
French, Dr. of Physick, London. (circa 1616-1657)
was an English physician who also served as an army doctor. “The
Art of Distillation” 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 references to Paracelsus
in this work.
Titles in
R.A.M.S. Digital Library Collection:
"The
Art of Distillation" By John French. London, November
25, 1650. [6 Books]. 181 pages. (ARTDISTILLATION: .doc, .pdf)
E. More Info.
Other works:
"The York-shire spaw, or a treatise of
foure famous medicinal wells viz. the spaw, or vitrioline well;
the stinking, or sulphur-well; the dropping, or petrifying-well;
and S. Mugnus-well, near Knare borow in York-Shire. Together with
the causes, vertues, and use thereof." For farther information
read the contents. Composed by J. French, Dr. of Physick., London
: printed for Richard Lambert bookseller, at the Minster-Gate
in York, 1654.
Further Notes:
John French
is attributed as the translator for the Latin Michal Sedziwój,
"A new light of alchymie" into English, (London : Printed
by Richard Cotes, for Thomas Williams, at the Bible in Little-Britain,
1650); the German Johann Rudolf Glauber, "A description of
new philosophical furnaces," into English (London : Printed
by Richard Coats, for Tho: Williams, at the signe of the Bible
in Little-Britain, 1651); and the Latin Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa
von Nettesheim, "Three books of occult philosophy",
into English (London : Printed by R.W. for Gregory Moule, and
are to be sold at the sign of the three Bibles neer the west-end
of Pauls, 1651).
