The Queen's Conjurer: The Science and Magic of Dr. John Dee, Advisor to Queen Elizabeth I

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Macmillan, 2002 - Biography & Autobiography - 376 pages
Although his accomplishments were substantial-he became a trusted confidante to Queen Elizabeth I, inspired the formation of the British Empire, and plotted voyages to the New World-John Dee's story has been largely lost to history. In The Queen's Conjurer, Benjamin Woolley brings to life the tale of one of the most colorful characters of the Renaissance. In the midst of a pivotal era when the age of superstition collided with the world of science and reason, Dee's mathematics anticipated Newton by nearly a century, and his mapmaking and navigation were critical to exploration. Obsessed with alchemy, astrology, and mysticism, his library was one of the finest in Europe, a vast compendium of thousands of volumes. Yet, despite his powerful position and prodigious intellect, Dee died in poverty and obscurity, reviled and pitied as a madman.

Written with flair and vigor, and based on numerous surviving diaries of the period, The Queen's Conjurer is a highly readable account of an extraordinary and nearly forgotten life.

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Contents

THE FLIGHT OF THE DUNG BEETLE
1
Chapter II
11
Chapter III
16
Chapter IV
25
THE LORD OF MISRULE
31
Chapter V
33
Chapter VI
38
Chapter VII
47
Chapter XIX
166
THE PRINCE AND THE JUGGLER
183
Chapter XX
185
Chapter XXI
195
Chapter XXII
203
CAESARS COURT
217
Chapter XXIII
219
Chapter XXIV
230

Chapter VIII
52
THE MOST PRECIOUS JEWEL
59
Chapter IX
61
Chapter X
73
Chapter XI
80
THE UNDISCOVERED LIMIT
95
Chapter XII
97
Chapter XIII
115
THE FIERY TRIGON
125
Chapter XIV
127
Chapter XV
132
Chapter XVI
146
BRIGHT SQUADRONS
153
Chapter XVII
155
Chapter XVIII
162
Chapter XXV
234
RAVISHD BY MAGIC
247
Chapter XXVI
249
Chapter XXVII
258
Chapter XXVIII
266
THE LONG JOURNEY
273
Chapter XXIX
275
Chapter XXX
288
EPILOGUE
291
NOTES
299
CHRONOLOGY
330
SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY
334
INDEX
343
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Copyright

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About the author (2002)

Benjamin Woolley, writer & broadcaster, covers both the arts & the sciences. His writing includes "Virtual Worlds," a book on virtual reality, "Bride of Science," a biography of Byron's brilliant daughter, & contributions to various British periodicals. He lives in London.

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