The Private Diary of Dr. John Dee, and the Catalog of His Library of Manuscripts

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

19553

Title

The Private Diary of Dr. John Dee, and the Catalog of His Library of Manuscripts

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This volume presents the private diary of John Dee, the renowned Elizabethan philosopher and astrologer, alongside a catalogue of his library. Offering an intimate glimpse into Dee's life, it reveals his daily interactions with royalty, his occult studies, personal financial struggles, and mystical experiences, providing a rare window into the mind of one of history's most enigmatic figures.

Summary up to 500 words

Edited by James Orchard Halliwell from original manuscripts held in Oxford and Cambridge, this volume presents an unvarnished portrait of Dr. John Dee, the eminent philosopher of Mortlake. The collection comprises two primary documents: Dee's Private Diary and a Catalogue of his Library of Manuscripts. The diary, written in a small hand on the margins of old almanacs, chronicles Dee's life between 1554 and 1583. It records his movements across Europe, including voyages to Hamburg and Frankfurt, and documents significant historical events such as the births of notable figures like Edward Kelley and Prince Albert Leski. The text captures the intimate details of Dee's domestic life, noting the deaths of his wife Jane and his mother, as well as personal grievances involving associates like Vincent Murfyn and conflicts with figures such as Edward Emery. The diary reveals the tension inherent in Dee's character, balancing rigorous scientific pursuits with a deep belief in occult philosophy. He details astrological calculations, alchemical experiments, and dreams involving spirits and prophecies, often recording them with the spirit of a true believer. The narrative highlights his interactions with high society, including meetings with Queen Elizabeth I, Sir Francis Walsingham, and the Earl of Leicester. Dee uses these entries to assert his title to lands in Greenland and Estetiland and to defend his reputation against calumnies regarding King Edward VI. Accompanying the diary is a catalogue of Dee's extensive library, compiled before his house was plundered by the populace. This inventory lists hundreds of medieval manuscripts on mathematics, astronomy, medicine, magic, and philosophy, many now lost. The collection includes works by Euclid, Ptolemy, Avicenna, and Roger Bacon, alongside texts on alchemy and astrology. Halliwell notes that Dee expended a substantial sum on this collection, reflecting his dedication to the occult sciences. The volume concludes with a report from the Camden Society and a list of its members, preserving the historical context of Dee's legacy as both a scholar and a mystic. Through these documents, readers gain insight into the intellectual habits of Elizabethan England, where science and mysticism mingled in the minds of its leading figures.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Biography
• History