Lawrence Principe
Professor of the history of science and chemistry at Johns Hopkins University, known for experimental reconstructions of alchemical processes and scholarship rewriting how alchemy contributed to the history of chemistry.
Top 3 podcasts with Lawrence Principe
Ranked by the Snipd community
20 snips
Mar 16, 2026 • 32min
Who are we to fight the alchemy?
Lawrence Principe, a Johns Hopkins historian and chemist who recreates alchemical recipes, discusses alchemy beyond gold, from medicines to pigments. He explains why alchemical texts use metaphor and secrecy. He recounts laboratory reconstructions like antimony glass and 'vegetative' mercury and explores how hands-on experiments help interpret strange alchemical language.
18 snips
Mar 4, 2026 • 46min
The War That Never Was: Science vs. Faith – Prof. Lawrence M. Principe
Prof. Lawrence M. Principe, Drew Professor at Johns Hopkins who studies alchemy, chemistry, and the science–religion dynamic, dismantles the myth of an inevitable conflict between science and faith. He traces the story to 19th century figures like Draper and White. Short takes explore myths like flat earth and God‑of‑the‑gaps, and why techno‑utopianism and bad theology kept the story alive.
Feb 26, 2020 • 1h 8min
Introducing Alchemy with Lawrence Principe
Lawrence Principe, an expert in Alchemy and the Hermetick Art, discusses the historical origins of alchemy, its transmission, and translation. He explores the practice of transmutations and assaying metals, replication of alchemical experiments, mysteries of alchemy, cover names in alchemical writings, and the growing recognition of alchemy in the field of history of science.
