Dr. Arthur Dee (1579 - 1651)

The eldest son of the famous Dr. John Dee (1527 - 1608), he too was an alchemist and physician, also serving as his father's "operator", replacing Kelly. His birth data are preserved in John Dee's diary: "1579 Arthur Dee was born 13 Julii 1579, mané, hora 4.30' fere (vel potius, 25 min.) in ipso ortu solis, ut existimo."

In 1650 Elias Ashmole translated from the Latin Arthur Dee's "Fasciculus Chemicus". Just before completing the book, and after the bulk of it had been sent to the printer, Ashmole discovered that the author might still be living and he wrote to Arthur Dee on 23 January 1649/50 (OS). As Ashmole introduces himself, he says that he has spent some years contemplating "that great Mystery of the Stone" and wanted to publish something of the study. He explains that having decided to make Dee's book his first work, he tried hard to discover the whereabouts of the author. It is clear from Ashmole's deferential tone that he wants to appease the old man, and offers to insert in the preface, which had not gone to press, any information Dee chose to have included: "I owe very great reverence to you for composing that excellent pice (and had I heard sooner of you, my translation should not have past the press without your consent and perusal)." Ashmole also enquires about Arthur Dee's relationship to John Dee.

On 31 January 149/50 (OS), Arthur Dee replied:

"Sir,

I received your letter by the post and am sorry that you or any man should take the pains to translate any book of that nature into English, for the art is vilified too much already by scholars that daily deride it. In regard they are ignorant of the principles; how then can it any way by advanced by the vulgar. [See following footnote.] But to satisfy your question, you may be resolved that he who wrote Euclid's preface was my father. And if that you desire to speak with me upon any other occasion, I intend God willing to be at London this day sevennight and you may hear of me in Butlers Court at my son Rowland Dee's warehouse at the end of Lumber Street. So that being now in haste I desire to be excused and rest.

Your well wisher

Arthur Dee

The fasciculus I must confess was my labour and work.

Norwich. Jan. 31. 1649"

Josten's footnote:

"In the Prolegomena (dated 1 Mar. 1650) of his Fasticulus Chemicus, London, 1650, Ashmole defends himself against these strictures: 'It is no desparagement to the subject that it appears in an English dress, no more then it was when habited in Greek, Latin, Arabick, &c. among the ancient Grecians, Romans, and Arabians, for to each of them it was their vulgar Tongue: And had not those Nations, to whom Learning (in her progress through the world) came, taken the pains of Translation, and so communicated to their own Countries the benefit of several Faculties; we had yet lied in much ignorance of Divinity, Philosophy, Physick, History, and all other Arts; for it was by the help of Translation they all rose to their several heights.'"

"Ashmole never met Arthur Dee. Dr. [Thomas] Wharton and Dr. [John] Bathurst went to see him in London, on Ashmole's behalf. Arthur Dee died after his return to Norwich in 1651."

("Elias Ashmole (1617-1692)", edited with biographical introduction by C.H. Josten, OUP, 1966.)

Arthur Dee's nativity did once exist, Ashmole being given a copy in John Dee's hand, but it is now lost. The following chart is a modern calculation of the data given above, although it is noted that the time might be 4.25 am: