Nicolas Flamel was born in France around the year 1330. He was a writer and book seller and it was while involved in the latter occupation that he purchased a 21-page book with mysterious text.
Philosopher’s Stone
In an attempt to translate the work he traveled to Spain in 1378 to seek assistance. Somewhere between France and Spain at Santiago de Compostela he met a sage who claimed that the book was the original translation of the Book of Abraham and that it contain a recipe for making the Philosopher’s Stone. Thereafter, Flamel became obsessed with translating the book. Under the tutelage of this Jewish convert he learned the art of alchemy. Over time Flamel and his wife, Perenelle, were able to understand enough of the book to produce a Philosopher’s Stone and by 1382 had replicated silver and not long after, made gold.
Alchemist
Now an accomplished alchemist, Flamel wrote a book on the subject entitled Exposition of the Hieroglyphical Figures that was not published until 1612 in Paris and 1624 in London. Flamel’s search for the Philosopher’s Stone was detailed in the introduction. Over time the alchemist became well known and his life and works were mentioned in a number of alchemical books for not only did he supposedly succeed in making gold but he and his wife were also believed to have attained immortality.
Despite his wealth and longevity, Flamel was a generous man and a devout Roman Catholic. He and his wife often invited the poor into their home for lodging and prayer. The Flamel home stands to this day and is thought to be the oldest house in Paris.
Immortality Legend
Nicholas Flamel lived into his eighties, which in those days of short life spans must have made him seem almost immortal. He had apparently designed his own tombstone and when he passed on in 1418 a grave robber in search of gold found the grave empty. Thus the legend of his immortality grew compounded by the fact that a number of books were published in his name long after his death. The tombstone, covered with arcane symbols, is at the Musee de Cluny in Paris.
Over the years sightings of the alchemist were claimed in parts of Paris including a witness who claimed to have seen him at the opera in 1761. The alchemist and his wife were supposed to have led a transient life and moved from town to town often changing their names. According to the legend Nicholas remarried and produced a son to whom he passed on his secrets of alchemy and longevity. Texts state that he lived for almost 300 years after his death was recorded. Flamel is mentioned by Victor Hugo in The Hunchback of Notre Dame and more recently by J.K. Rowling in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone where she asserts he lived for 666 years.
Bibliography:
Decoding the Past: The Real Sorcerer's Stone, November 15, 2006 History Channel video documentary
Michael Scott - The Magician: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel - Delacourt Press (2008)
William Silvester - Most of Bill's writing over the past few years has been for the philatelic press and consists primarily of columns and articles about the ...
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