Jacob Philadelphia

Jacob Philadelphia (born Jacob Meyer; 14 August 1735 – 1785) was a German magician, physicist, astrologer and alchemist.

Biography According to Daniel Jütte, he was born Jacob Meyer probably in Wulfen in 1734, although he claimed to have been born in Philadelphia, though other sources report that he was in fact, American-born. Dr Christopher Witt, the associate of Johannes Kelpius, was chiefly responsible for his education. Meyer's patron in England was Prince Henry, Duke of Cumberland and Strathearn, for whom he performed astrology, magic, and alchemy.

He was of Jewish descent, whose family immigrated from South America. When he converted to Christianity, Jacob Meyer took the name of Jacob Philadelphia in homage to the home city of the American scientist and statesman Benjamin Franklin. He was also known by the names Meyer Philadelphia and Philadelphus Philadelphia. Meyer became a member of the occult Rosicrucian order. After the death of his patron in 1756, Meyer began to perform in public. He exhibited his skills in Ireland, Portugal, and Spain. In 1771, he performed in St. Petersburg for Catherine II of Russia. Also, in Constantinople, he had Sultan Mustapha III as an audience. The year 1773 found him chasing away ghosts for Kaiser Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor in Vienna at a charge of 300 Thalers.

In Potsdam and Berlin, he had difficulty with Frederick the Great, who was alarmed after Meyer read his mind. While at Frederick's court he made proposals for Prussia to open trade relations with the United States, but Frederick had several concerns about engaging with American agents, including prevailing anti-Jewish sentiment. He was an early pioneer of phantasmagoria, a performance magic show with a focus on the appearance of ghostly figures. His shows involved "magic lantern, mirror effects, and various magnetic and electrical (usually high-voltage) demonstrations" His final lecture was given in 1781 in Switzerland. In 1783, made a business proposition involving the use of occult powers to Frederick the Great, who declined the offer.