Alchemical Writings (Stone of Philosophers)

if not, the evidence for his stay at Oxford is of a very weak character.* If, besides the difficulty that has been mentioned, there are no other reasons for supposing that he changed his name, and none others seem to be found, there is, perhaps, more reason to doubt his university career than to accept the theory of the aliasAn assumed name or identity. If he were at Oxford, it would be only for a short period, and he is said to have left abruptly. Other accounts state that he was trained as an apothecaryA historical term for a medical professional who prepared and sold drugs and medicines; a precursor to the modern pharmacist, and in this way acquired some skill in chemistryIn the 16th century, this often referred to alchemy or early experimental chemical science. It was more probably the profession of his father, of which he may have picked up some knowledge in boyhood. After the end of his formal studies, whether at Oxford or elsewhere, he himself seems to have pursued the law, and to have settled in London, or, according to another account, at Lancaster, but possibly in both places. It

The amanuensisA literary assistant or secretary who copies manuscripts or takes dictation of Thomas Allen (in the time original Latin: temp., abbreviation for tempore* of Anthony à Wood), of Gloucester HallNow known as Worcester College, Oxford, said that Kelly spent some time in that house.