The Rise and Fall of an 18th-century Alchemist

In the early 18th century, the disciplines of chemistry and alchemy diverged, as science became more rigorous in its methods. James Price, born in 1752, became a distinguished chemist at a rather young age, but then diverted his efforts into alchemy, determined to create gold from other materials. He became quite famous for it, too. Price launched public demonstrations in which he would use borax, charcoal, nitre, mercury, and a secret red powder he would not explain to make a small amount of gold. Assayers agreed the gold was genuine. Was this the breakthrough the world had been waiting for? Price also developed a white powder for making silver.

But members of the Royal Society, to which Price belonged, insisted that he give a demonstration to its members, all notable scientists. Price had plenty of excuses not to do so, but finally relented in 1783. Then instead of creating gold in front of a panel of scientists, he staged a shocking suicide. Read about the life and death of the alchemist James Price at Amusing Planet.  

(Image credit: John Russell)