Death and aftermath Thomas Browne

sir thomas browne s will, dated 2 december 1679

sir thomas browne died on 77th birthday, 19 october 1682. library held in care of eldest son edward until 1708. auction of browne , son edward s libraries in january 1711 attended hans sloane. editions sir thomas browne s library subsequently became included in founding collection of british library.

his skull became subject of local dispute when removed lead coffin when accidentally re-opened workmen in 1840. not re-interred until 4 july 1922 when registered in church of saint peter mancroft aged 317 years. browne s coffin-plate, stolen same time skull, recovered, broken 2 halves, 1 of on display @ st. peter mancroft. alluding commonplace opus of alchemy reads, amplissimus vir dns. thomas browne, miles, medicinae dr., annos natus 77 denatus 19 die mensis octobris, anno. dni. 1682, hoc loculo indormiens. corporis spagyrici pulvere plumbum in aurum convertit. — translated latin esteemed gentleman thomas browne, knight, doctor of medicine, 77 years old, died on 19th of october in year of our lord 1682 , lies sleeping in coffin. dust of alchemical body converts lead gold. origin of invented word spagyrici greek of: spao tear open, + ageiro collect, signature neologism coined paracelsus define medicine-oriented alchemy; origins of iatrochemistry, being first advanced him. browne s coffin-plate verse, along collected works of paracelsus , several followers of swiss physician listed in library, evidence although highly critical of paracelsus, nevertheless, luther of medicine , believed in palingenesis, physiognomy, alchemy, astrology , kabbalah.