A Brief History
On November 15, 1280, St. Albertus Magnus died, after having reportedly built an android and discovered the philosopher’s stone, but according to the faithful his body did not deteriorate and according to Mary Shelley, his writings influenced mad scientist Victor Frankenstein!
Digging Deeper
Dominican friar and Catholic bishop Albertus Magnus (Albert the Great) is today renowned as one of only 35 people to be designated a “Doctor” of the Catholic Church. A polymath, Albert of Cologne may have been the greatest German philosopher and theologian of the Middle Ages, having dabbled in everything from alchemy to astrology to experimental sciences to music to natural law to natural philosophy to, well, you get the idea!
Accordingly his influence on many fields of study has been enormous. Not surprisingly, this patron saint of Cincinnati, Ohio, medical technicians, natural sciences, philosophers, scientists, students, and World Youth Day has had numerous schools on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean named after him, as well as a plant species, an asteroid, and even a typeface!
Yet what particularly interests us are some of the more “supernatural” or “paranormal” claims about aspects of his life and afterlife. Among the many legends attributed to him are suggestions that he created an automaton called “Androides” and that he discovered the philosopher’s stone long before Harry Potter. Albert even wrote that he witnessed the creation of gold via “transmutation”, while others declare that Albert may have discovered an immortality-granting “elixir of life”. Allegedly, Albert’s pupil St. Thomas Aquinas, to whom Albert allegedly passed the philosopher’s stone to, burned the “android”. As for the philosopher’s stone, that also appears lost, if it ever existed in the first place. Another legend concerns Albert’s remains and how divine intervention prevented his body from decomposing naturally. Given these sorts of claims, it is no wonder that famed author Mary Shelley described Albert as an influence on her notorious Victor Frankenstein, a scientist bent on bringing to life his monstrous man.
Question for students (and subscribers): Are any of these legends true? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below this article!
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Historical Evidence
It should come as little surprise that the literature on Albert ranges from skepticism about the above legends to fervent wishes for them to be true. Below are some good starting places for further research:
Best, Michael R and Frank H Brightman. The Book of Secrets of Albertus Magnus. Weiser Books, 2000.
Vost, Kevin. St. Albert the Great: Champion of Faith and Reason. TAN Books, 2011.
You can watch a video version of this article on YouTube!
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="686 http://www.crackedhistory.com/?p=686">153 Comments
I really doubt that any of these things are true. Unfortunately, we don’t have any proof because immortality and the creation of gold sounds like two of the ultimate “wishes” ever. My guess is it was his way of being remembered…..hey it worked! (maybe he is immortal)
I don’t believe in any of this… It makes me wonder if he is like all the people today; doing this to get attention. The whole “hey look at me thing.” It worked though, since we’re reading about him today!
I agree with Ty, I don’t believe any of those things are true at all! It does sound like he tried for way to much attention and apparently he got it but I don’t see why.
I think a few of these stories might have roots in actual events. Maybe the guy made a gold colored substance once while playing with chemicals, and the story just evolved into what it is now. Same goes for a few of the others. Maybe not too credible, but hey, the world of fantasy and science fiction sure benefited from the legends!
I think this is just a myth but you never know. When you look at some of the ancient art you see a lot of creatures being made. Did our ancient ancestors see something strange going on, or did they just have an over-active imagination?
Who knows, maybe these legends are true. Maybe he was crazy, maybe he craved attention. History like this kind of reminds me of the telephone game- by the time we hear the story it is all jumbled around and we really don’t know what happened.
I am a skeptic. I really do not think any of these are true. For me to believe something I need more hard evidence.
I dont believe any of these event are true though they may be from less dramatic events. Possibly mixing different things together caused something to look gold but wasnt really gold but who knows. Without actually living in the time and seeing it ourselves or having any actual evidence all we can do is speculate.
I have difficulty believing these things happened. Immortality is a dead give away but we also don’t have evidence to prove so. Then again there have been proof of other strange findings, so maybe its still out there somewhere.
I don’t believe that any of these are true, but they make for good stories. That he was able to leave such legends are indicative of the influence he had.
I don’t think any of these are true but it would be cool and interesting if the philosopher’s stone did exist because if it did we wouldn’t know if it did or didn’t because if i had it i would never tell anyone and I would just keep changing identity’s.
The way I see it he was either brilliant or just plan crazy. Who knows which is correct.
I find it hard to believe these stories are true. I think he was just crazy.
The legends of Albert the Great seem to be very unrealistic and I do not believe any other them. He most likely has a psychological issue.
What’s wrong with believing. Many believe in Jesus without even seeing him. Yes, we now have evidence that Jesus walked the earth but after being crucified were there photographs of him doing the things that were said he had done or coming back to life after death….no we just believe. So yes the man was probably crazy but at the same time what is wrong with believing that to a certain extent some of these things could be possible and true.
The Creation of an android long before electricity interests me greatly. It would be interesting to find any further evidence to back that claim.
It would, if it existed, have been a “clock work” creation. Just for the record, it is quite possible to create a completely robotic machine using compressed air alone and no other power source.
Since there seems to be no real primary source documents to support these claims I doubt they occurred. Without real documentation it just becomes hearsay and myth. With that it sounds like a fun story but no proof it is really a part of history. Nice story, though.
I really don’t believe these claims are true because there is not enough information to support on what has happened, but it is interesting to read though.
Although I think these claims are probably not true it is really interesting to think about. What if they were true what were his resources, was it divine intervention? Extraterrestrial life?
Sounds like a good legend but I highly doubt it is true.
I actually do believe that these stories are true, but its just it was blown out of proportion. I bet he was able to find an “elixir of life”. Back then finding something new was always thought as huge. For example, that “elixir of life” could be a medicine that we don’t think much of today.
Why do only a select few historical individuals get the opportunity to have these awesome stories go along with their name? What did he do to deserve finding the Philosopher’s Stone? Obviously I don’t believe these things truly happened.
Although the stories are interesting, I am still not buying it.
Its a life goal to have a typeface named after myself.
I believe that much of what this saint did had an influence on us today, however i also elieve that some of what he claimed either isnt true, or has been distroted to become not true today.
It is funny to see how all of these legends are transformed through time. It seems like such a stretch that it could be true but the legends stay attached to certain characters and take on new meaning and context when they move through time from person to person. I certainly do not believe it, but when so many people pass it on it gains some credibility and I can understand the believability.
The Philosopher’s Stone is the stone that influenced Rowling’s Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, correct? That’s why I was familiar with this stone before, but it is hard to believe stories associated with it.
I want to believe.
Interesting story, but hard to believe..
I find it hard to believe that his body did not decompose, also when I see the word android I immediately think of a brand of electronic devices.
I find it weird that a saint would be connected to these supernatural events. Usually the Church would be against these sort of claims.
I found the article to be very interesting. I did not know that the philosopher’s stone was something that actually existed.
Stories of imortatlity have always sparked my interest. But reality always seems to kick in and make me realize it wasnt true
I don’t believe in this but maybe someday with the technology advancing
True or not… he supposedly was the influence behind Victor Frankenstein… which is cool! — DAVID WARDLE
Hahaha honestly this guy is funny. He thinks that he is God or something. The likelihood of him doing some of those more supernatural things is very low. I think the success and mindset he got from succeeding so well in the other things got to his head.
He didn’t create an androide or philosophers stone. But it’s interesting that he dabbled in all of those things and was a doctor in the catholic church
Anything can be said and without the proof, we will never know if they are true or not. But it’s interesting to consider its possibilities!
it seems more fantasy than real to me
I only wonder if there was an actual elixir to life, and what would it be made of?
I’ve always thought that the stories about the philosophers stone were interesting but I have a pretty hard time believing that any of it is true.
Being an active Catholic, I like to inform myself on the saints and Doctors of the Church. But, I have never heard of St. Albertus Magnus. A lot of the things mentioned are kind of hard to believe and weird to think about.
Even though the legends aren’t true, the guy gave us Dr. Frankenstein. And for that we must thank him.
Whether it was true or not, he still influenced a great novel
Myths are always interesting. It least an interesting novel came out of it.
If the philosopher’s stone legend is real, why haven’t we organized a field trip to go find it?
I have a hard time believing that these types of legends are true. If they were true, I am pretty sure there would be many more instances of immortality by now!
I believe that this story falls in more of the area of myth or legend then fact. It’s hard to imagine any of these claims being real, especially when there is no evidence, and the android and the philosophers stone both disappear and are never seen again. I do however believe that these are good stories to tell, but should be seen as more fictitious ideas then reality.
I completely agree with Stephen on this. I am reading Dan Brown’s book, “The Lost Symbol” and the plot of the book is a similar dispute. The main character is struggling to decide if what the clues he is chasing is really a myth or if he is chasing something that truly exists. Clearly Albertus Magnus was an intelligent man who studied some different aspects of life. I do find it difficult, however, to believe that many aspects of his studies are true.
Unfortunately most of these seem to just be legends. It would be highly unlikely that he would have been able to do some of these things and not have caused a huge uproar in society. While it is true we ma never know if these things actually happened, Ty brings up a good point. The elixir of immortality may have just been made up so that his name would be remembered throughout time.
The past semester I read Mary Shelley’s Frankenstien. It is interesting to see her motivation came from this idea of a stone which can keep one alive forever. Far chance that any of this hold much validity, but it is fun to imagine!
I think that a majority of the information in this article are myths. It’s hard to believe that Albert witnessed the creation of gold via transmutation and that he found a stone that gives a person immortality. They are entertaining stories to tell to or to read up on, but realistically not true. This would tie perfectly into the Harry Potter stories line, but not in real life.
I believe that in his time Albertus Magnus was a great man, and because he was canonized as a saint there is a shroud of mystery and legend that surrounds him. Although I do not believe that Alburtus found the elixir of life or created an android, there could be some truth surrounding the decomposition of his body because there are a few saints in the catholic church where their bodies have decomposed uniquely or parts of their body have stayed in tact.
Very interesting read. Although I feel as though many of these legends were cerated just to get a rise out of people or as kelley mentioned through rumors like the telephone game. I do not doubt that he was a great man as he must have been because he is now a saint but some of these are a bit far fetched.
Kevin,
I agree with you and Kelley, many rumors come of instances similar to the telephone game! Although these legends are interesting and definitely worth reading about, the truth behind them does not seem very likely.
I don’t really believe that either of these legends could be true given that they are simply legends (stories passed down from generation to generation with a mutated message). However, I did enjoy this story and would consider the possibility that this could very well have some validity.
i don’t think that these stories were true, maybe aspects of them are like the people existing and thinking they can do crazy things but as time passes on tales can get mixed up and more elaborate. however i do appreciate the great novel Frankenstein that came from these stories, and find it fascinating how an author can take a piece of history and turn it into such a well known story
I don’t really believe these stories especially because St. Thomas Aquinas was a very religious man and not a wizard. Also, if there was an “elixir of life” surely more people would hear about it and be immortal right now!!
I have a hard time believing these legends but it is strange that his body did not decompose. Most of these are probably just myths though.
There are some legends that are somewhat believable then there are legends like this. I mean, his body did not decompose? Come on…
I think the idea that Mary Shelley could create a whole story out of just one part of the life of Albertus tells me that the stories of his life are a little too far away from reality to ever really be true.
I live in Ohio and have been on a World Youth Day. It was neat to be able to relate
I do not believe these legends are true, but that they were created for entertainment during the time they were popular.
The philosopher’s stone is an interesting myth but feel that it is just that, a myth.
I don’t believe the legends are true but I like how we have taken them and turned them into entertaining stories and movies today.
Magic is just that which science has yet to explain. Furthermore, the definition of magic is really just subjective. For example, put an iPhone 6s in front of a medieval peasant and they’d swear it was magic. We can’t truly grasp who Magnus was because we will always lack the true nature of the historical and religious context which enveloped him.
I find it interesting that his story was an influence on Frankenstein. It certainly fits with the genre though. More reading will have to be done on this…. To the internet!
I don’t really think that philosophers stone ever really existed but it would be pretty cool if it did.
It would be interesting to see which parts of this are true and which are false.
I don’t think that the philosopher’s stone existed and not that proof is always necessary to believe something but this doesn’t sound very true. I find it funny though that there’s a Harry Potter reference to the stone and maybe even to Dumbledore in Harry Potter if researched further.
I do not believe these are true but it is interesting to see what people during that era can come up with!
I like the Harry Potter reference! The miracle of how is body did not decompose is fascinating
Magnus sounds like quite the interesting man. I wonder what the truths were behind the myths of the philosopher’s stone and the android.
Crazy things can happen, I’m guessing there is some truth to these legends
I’m really thinking these events and claims never happened since where the proof of this. Also seems like someone wanted there time to shine so created these claims up.
This saint is certainly connected to a number of important people and events. Ha taught St. Thomas Aquinas and inspired Victor Frankenstein!
Loved the harry potter reference, nice post
Extremely interesting article, especially the part that this was a big influence on the story of Frakenstein
Harry potter reference was great
Really interesting, especially because of the Harry Potter reference. Harry Potter is my favorite series
I had no idea that Cincinnati had a patron saint! But I really doubt that this information is factual.
Androids discovered the Philosophers stone before Harry Potter?! Damn.
I always find it interesting to see where famous authors derive their information. Mary Shelly using him is certainly fun to see how well read and knowledgeable she was.
Regardless of whether it’s true or not, it still is interesting. This is the first I’ve heard of Albert the Great being the inspiration of Frankenstein though.
The man sounds like he may have been a fanatic, worth researching him more though
Either this guy had a great imagination or his discoveries were not ready for the world to see.
Very interesting, sounds like he had a lot of wonderful dreams that maybe were realties. But no one will ever know. Also what was weird was that his body was not decomposing normally.
He basic influenced everything that is popular in todays age. it just wasnt as big as it is now a days. He put a stamp on how the genration were going to change overtime.
It’s pretty neat that even though Albertus Magnus died so long ago his finding are still know and recognized today. That being said though it seems hard to prove the things he is credited for!
I love to see where Mary Shelly got her idea for Victor Frankenstein. Frankenstein is one of my favorite books that I read in high school, so it was nice to see how the idea kind of came to be.
Love seeing that they still are interesting in his studies, even today. We might not know what really happened with what he did but we’re on our way to try to recreate it on our own.
I loved reading Frankenstein in high school! I think it is so cool that all this time has gone by and people are still interested in his studies! It is awesome.
I remember reading Frankenstein in high school. So interesting!
I have a feeling that somebody might be lying…
Even though Albertus Magnus died so long ago, he is still well known now. The description of him in Frankenstein is still so popular today.
Being a Harry Potter fan I really do want to believe this and so I shall.
Albert sounds like he was an interesting man. Too bad we will never know if any of the claims regarding him are true or not
if only there were some way to prove any of these claims
being a harry potter fan I find this quite interesting that he found the stone.
I find Frankenstein to be a little weird. But it has a lot of craze to the story. More power to him
Interesting to see the inspiration for Frankenstein.
There’s so much wiggle room for lies and misconception to play a part in this that I can’t help but believe this to be untrue to a certain extent.
hard to believe without factual information. ill take it as a myth.
Seems way to unrealistic tbh
Good article, and who doesn’t like a good harry potter reference!
Probably isn’t true but who knows!?
Most likely a Myth. Interesting though!
Who knows the validity to these claims, but if any of this were real that would be crazy.
Evidence isn’t for sure there but very intriguing article!
I really don’t think any of this is true.
Some aspects of history can seem to get twisted and fictionalized as many years go by.
Whether it may be true or not… it definitely grabs the attention of the human mind.. its truly mind boggling.
I really doubt that all of these things are true. However, I’m glad for the inspiration that it brought.
There is no way he built an android. I do see how this story could inspire Frankenstein.
I am a philosophy minor and have read a lot of Thomas Aquinas’ writings. It surprises me that he was a pupil of Albertus Magnus, the man who inspired the story of Frankenstein. Aquinas was a very intelligent man, though, and clearly Magnus was too.
This is so interesting, as far as philosphers stone of course it remind you of harry potter, which i recently just watched. Makes you think are there really things out here like that, whiches , spells & Warlocks etc.
I have never seen harry potter before so i do know know much about the relation to this and the movie however without much evidence I do not believe much of this article to be true. It says all that he was thought to hve discovered but no facts to back it up.
I love Harry Potter and never realized the first book was based on something that may be true!
i need more proof to believe any of this but i am still a big fan of Harry Potter
Harry Potter was one of my favorite first series!orite
I’ve grown up watching the Harry Potter movies, but I have hard time following this… There needs to be more information.
I never knew the story of the philosopher’s stone besides watching Harry Potter.
There is a movie called As Above So Below that is about this woman trying to find the philosopher’s stone in Paris.
I saw that movie in a theater! 🙂 Did you like it?
I loved it! I would love to know what in the movie is based on fact and what they made up.
There are a couple geographic and factual errors listed at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2870612/goofs
Thank you!
You’re welcome! 🙂
I can’t believe back then there was actually they created an android back then, that’s amazing.
The legend that “how divine intervention prevented Albert’s remains from decomposing naturally.” That would be an interesting concept to try and prove, or study.
All these things seem untrue…. but, it was very inspirational.
I absolutely love Harry Potter!
havent see all of the harry potter movies so i cant make the relation
It’s hard to believe but we don’t really have any definite proof either way so who knows.
never seen a harry potter movie
wow these legends about him make me wonder what about him is actually factual
Harry Potter is pretty much the greatest movie series of all time
I read about this once before! Used to be really into the old horror movies the lore behind them.
I love Mary Shelly! I enjoy seeing literary things incorporated into these articles 🙂
This is crazy to think that people would have believed these kinds of things, but on the other hand this was back when people believed in supernatural things.
If I was given the philosophers Stone I would make sure to keep it in a secret place. Maybe the person who had the Stone has kept it secret for so long and their still alive ( twilight zone music ensues
Dear Jarrett M, Have you ever played the Twilight Zone pinball machine? Sincerely, Dr. Zar
No I haven’t. Where do you find this pinball game at. I absolutely love pinball.
Dear Jarrett, I am not aware of anyone around who has the actual machine, but there is a game called The Pinball Arcade that is available for just about every major game system that has that table and all sorts of others. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pinball_Arcade I have this game for my PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. If I ever get a PlayStation 4 Pro and/or an Xbox One X, I will get it for those systems, too. I am so busy grading, writing, etc., that I do not have time to play overly involved games, but it is nice to take a break on occasion to play a quick game of pinball. Sincerely, Dr. Zar
What Magnus studied in his time is quite extraordinary and it is very cool that he was the inspiration for Frankenstein.
Haven’t watched Harry Potter for years but once reading this it all sort of came back
I wonder if that the Philosophers Stone is actually real, what happened to it and where is it now?
I wonder if J.K Rowling found inspiration to include the Philosopher’s Stone from this mystery.
I remember watching the 1974 movie with Gene Wilder and I remember it scaring me as a little kid and I had no idea that it was written so long ago.
It was the 13th century and the philosophers stone was probably another rock and he got away with it because he is a scientist.
I dont really believe in that sort of things but this was very interesting to read
I did not know that they were from Cincinnati, Ohio.