Philosophers

German philosopher and founder of the Bavarian Illuminati, 1748–1811. Born in the Bavarian university town of Ingolstadt, Weishaupt came from an academic family with connections to Baron von Ickstatt, a member of

Irish philosopher, writer, and secret society member, 1670–1722. One of the most remarkable figures of his age, John Toland was born and raised in Ardagh, on the Inishowen peninsula, and educated in

Ibn Sina (980–1037) Persian philosopher and physician who argued against the possibility of transmutation in Alchemy. Born Abu Ali al-Husain ibn ‘Abdallah ibn Sina, he was known by his Latinized name, Avicenna,

Lully, Raymond (c. 1235–c. 1316) Spanish philosopher whose works were important to Alchemy. Raymond Lully—also known as Ramon Lull—was well known in his time, and his name was borrowed for spurious alchemical

Pythagoras (sixth c. B.C.E.) Greek philosopher and mathematician, best known for major contributions to astronomy, geometry, and music theory. His teachings influenced Socrates, Plato, Euclid, Aristotle, and thinkers in many disciplines down

Bruno, Giordano (1548–1600) was an Italian Hermetic philosopher. Giordano Bruno was influenced by the works of Henry Cornelius Agrippa, Pico de Mirandola, and Marsilio Ficino, and he presented a new vision of