Newton and Alchemy

In the Big Bang Theory episode "The Maternal Congruence," we learn that Sheldon's favorite Christmas ornament (since he has to choose one) is of the great scientist/philosopher Sir Isaac Newton, born on December 25, 1642. Sheldon hastens to point out that Sir Isaac actually was born on Christmas Day, whereas Jesus was probably born sometime during spring or summer. The Church adjusted the day for celebrating his birth back in order to take advantage of a time already known for celebration--the winter solstice (between December 20 and 22, depending on the year). And he was, like many scientists of his day, a believer in alchemy, and a seeker of the philosopher's stone, that element that could transmute base metals into gold. The man who could find such a prize would truly be a magician. He could transform the world. For that reason, for many years governments regulated, or banned the practice of alchemy. For more on the history of alchemy and alchemists, check out A. Cockren's History of Alchemy, the University of Bristol's School of Chemistry webpages on Alchemy, The Alchemy Web Site, Wendy Turner's essay on the regulation of alchemy in medieval England in Law and Magic: A Collection of Essays, and P.G. Maxwell-Stuart, Chemical Choir: A History of Alchemy (Continuum International, 2008).