Some of the most famous alchemists of the middle times include:
Albertus Magnus (1193-1280) - A German Dominican friar and scholar who wrote extensively on alchemy and other scientific subjects. He was one of the first to propose that alchemy could be used to produce medicines, and he is often considered the founder of modern chemistry.
Roger Bacon (1214-1294) - An English Franciscan friar and philosopher who wrote about a wide variety of subjects, including alchemy, optics, and astronomy. He is best known for his work on the mirror, which he invented, and for his experimental approach to science.
Geber (Jabir ibn Hayyan) (721-815) - A Persian chemist and alchemist who wrote over 100 treatises on alchemy and other scientific subjects. He is considered one of the most influential alchemists of all time, and his work laid the foundation for many later developments in chemistry.
Lull, Ramon (1232-1315) - A Catalan philosopher, alchemist, and missionary. He is best known for his work on the "Ars Magna", a system of logic that he developed to prove the existence of God and to understand the nature of reality.
Zosimos of Panopolis (3rd-4th centuries) - A Greek alchemist who lived in Egypt. Although he is considered the first alchemist, some details about his life remain enigmatic. He wrote extensively about alchemy, and his works are considered some of the most important texts in the history of the discipline.
Alchemical manuscripts from the middle times are often beautifully illustrated and contain detailed instructions for performing alchemical experiments. These manuscripts were closely guarded secrets and were only passed on to trusted disciples.
The alchemists of the middle times made significant contributions to the development of science. They developed new techniques for purifying and extracting metals, discovered many new chemical compounds, and laid the foundation for modern chemistry. Their work also influenced the development of medicine, pharmacology, and metallurgy.
Although alchemy failed to achieve its original goals of transmuting base metals into gold and discovering the elixir of life, it had other profound effects. The methods they developed for experimenting and observing nature laid the groundwork for modern science. Additionally, their pursuit of knowledge and understanding led to the creation of various technologies and practices still used today.