Wellcome Unit for the History of Medicine
NORWICH
‘THE RISING DAWN’: THE CONTRIBUTION OF ALCHEMY
TO MEDIEVAL MEDICINE AND INTELLECTUAL LIFE
CONFERENCE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF EAST ANGLIA, NORWICH
21-22 MARCH 2002
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CALL FOR PAPERS
‘There is a stone, which he that knoweth layeth it upon his eyes, but he
that doth not, casteth it upon the dunghill, and it is a medicine which
putteth poverty to flight, and after God hath man no better thing’
Aurora consurgens
Medieval medicine and intellectual life was underpinned by a comprehensive
and arcane system of knowledge known as alchemy. This secretive body of
learning nevertheless had links with learned traditions in the Greek, Roman
and Arabic worlds and played a vital contribution to medieval medicine,
philosophy, politics, science, myths, religion and art.
This conference will explore these contributions and attempt to add to our
knowledge and understanding of the dissemination of alchemical manuscripts
in Latin and the vernacular; the contribution of the alchemist to the
practice of humoral medicine and surgery; the relationship between the
different alchemical traditions, Greek and Byzantine, Baconian and Pseudo
Lullian; the evolution of alchemical emblems; and the relationship between
alchemy and politics at the royal courts.
Academic research into alchemy has been neglected. This conference seeks to
raise the profile of this elusive but vital branch of medieval learning by
bringing together scholars from different countries and disciplines. ‘And
therefore the science which I learnt without guile, do I communicate without
envy.’ Albert the Great Compositum de compositus
All papers should represent original research. Submissions from younger
scholars will be particularly welcomed. Please send two copies of a one
page abstract (350 words maximum) to:
Dr Jonathan Hughes, Wellcome Unit for the History of Medicine, School of
History, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ
or email
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Please also provide the following: name, preferred mailing address, work and
home telephone numbers, present institutional affiliation, and academic
degrees.
Abstracts must be received by 15 September 2001
For general enquiries please telephone Sarah Browne: + 44 (0)1603 593576
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Becky Fitt (Ms)
Administrative Officer
Wellcome Unit for the History of Medicine
School of History
University of East Anglia
Norwich NR4 7TJ
ENGLAND
TEL: + 44 (0)1603 593878
FAX: + 44 (0)1603 593285
WEB: http://www.uea.ac.uk/his/wellcome
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