Thomas Charnock

Thomas Charnock (1524/1526–1581) was an English alchemist and who devoted his life to the quest for the Philosopher's Stone. His unpublished notebooks are useful, not just for an understanding of Elizabethan attitudes towards alchemy in general, but for the insight they give to Charnock's life and thoughts.

Early life Charnock was born in Faversham, Kent in c.1524.

Career Charnock began searching for alchemical secrets throughout England in his early twenties. He eventually found two masters who instructed him in the art: 'Master I.S.', a priest from Salisbury; and the former abbot of Bath. His work was tiresome and demanding, requiring him, amongst other things, to keep a fire burning at a constant temperature. He was also pursued by constant bad luck: on New Year's Day 1555, Charnock's tabernacle caught fire and destroyed his progress; inept servants continually spoiled his renewed efforts by mismanaging the fire heating his alchemical vessels; and two years later in 1557 he was conscripted when England went to war with France and the local Justice of the Peace (who seems to have been a personal enemy) made sure that Thomas was forced into military service.

Works The following works attributed to Charnock were printed in Elias Ashmole's Theatrum Chemicum Britannicum

Breviary of Philosophy. 1557. An autobiographical account of Charnock's alchemistic experiences Aenigma ad Alchimiam. 1572. Aenigma de Alchimiae. 1572. Fragments coppied From Thomas Charnock's owne hand writing. 1574.