William

William Backhouse

#110,799
Most Influential Person Across History

English philosopher

William Backhouse's Academic­Influence.com Rankings

William Backhouse
Philosophy
#13884
Historical Rank
philosophy Degrees
Download Badge
  • Philosophy

William Backhouse's Degrees

Similar Degrees You Can Earn

Why Is William Backhouse Influential?

(Suggest an Edit or Addition)

According to Wikipedia, William Backhouse was an English philosopher, alchemist, astrologer, translator, and the esoteric mentor of Elias Ashmole. Born into the wealthy Backhouse family, Backhouse enjoyed an education at Oxford, and was likely exposed to alchemical teachings and the Rosicrucian manifestos of the 1610s. He married Anne Richards in 1637/8, and had three children. By 1651, he had become the mentor of Elias Ashmole, taking him as his "spiritual son and heir", the role for which his is best remembered. The following exchange of alchemical knowledge and manuscripts has been described as having an effect on Ashmole that "cannot be overstated". This relationship flourished in an intense exchange of alchemical documents and information, unaffected by Backhouse's poor health and fear of identification in Ashmole's publications. Backhouse, predeceased by all his siblings and children, but one, died in 1662, leaving all his possessions to his daughter, Flower Backhouse, the last of the Backhouse family.

Other Resources About William Backhouse

What Schools Are Affiliated With William Backhouse?

William Backhouse is affiliated with the following schools: