Abstract
Mathematician, geographer and navigational expert, John Dee combined a firm grasp of sixteenth century science with his occult studies of alchemy and Kabbalah. Intellectually attuned to Renaissance Europe, he often found it necessary to defend himself against accusations of conjuring and the practice of black magic. He prepared horoscopes for royalty and, while highly respected by Elizabeth and many of her courtiers, was likewise feared and even mocked by others. His practice of trying to consult with angels in order to extend his scientific investigations made him dependent upon the manipulative assistance of “scryers” or interpreters of mystical appearances in special show stones. His lack of social and political tact generally prevented him from gaining any material benefit from Elizabeth’s belief in his knowledge and insight.
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References
Primary Literature
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Flinker, N. (2017). Dee, John. In: Sgarbi, M. (eds) Encyclopedia of Renaissance Philosophy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-02848-4_482-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-02848-4_482-1
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