Research
This research explores the evolution of methods for transmitting knowledge within European alchemical texts from the late medieval era through the end of the early modern period. The primary focus is the development of abstract notations, known in the period as ‘characters’, such as the astrological glyphs of the planets to represent metals or an upright triangle to represent fire. Characters are pervasive within alchemical texts and images, and should be considered a third, visually abstract language used to communicate meaning. During her fellowship of two months, Ellen Hausner will examine manuscripts from the collection of the Bibliotheca Philosophica Hermetica (BPH) held at the Allard Pierson. By making an analytical study of characters within these alchemical texts, she hopes to demonstrate how and why they grew in complexity and importance.
Fellow
Ellen Hausner is a doctoral student in the Department of History of Science, Medicine, and Technology at the University of Oxford. Her research explores the function and significance of characters within alchemical texts in the early modern period. Previous to this, Ellen had a career in academic libraries, including the Special Collections at the Bodleian Libraries, Oxford. In 2023, Ellen was awarded the Jane Willis Kirkaldy Senior Prize, which recognises outstanding essays in the history of science.