Isaac Newton and the Philosopher’s Stone: Papers show how genius who discovered gravity was obsessed with alchemy and spent years trying to produce mythical substance that could turn base metals into gold

A series of articles written by physicist Isaac Newton referencing his decades-long quest to produce the mythical Philosopher’s Stone is set to fetch more than £120,000 at auction.

The articles, which are written in Latin and have some English titles, are a distillation of the chemical processes contained in the writings of the influential 17th-century alchemist Johann de Monte Snyders.

Snyders was known for his alleged skill with transmutation, turning lead into gold.

Although Newton, who died in 1727, is best known for his discovery of gravity, the physicist also had a lifelong obsession with alchemy.

The practitioners of the pursuit tried to turn base metals into gold or silver, and also discover a way to prolong life – but their efforts were in vain.

The Holy Grail was the Philosopher’s Stone, a substance sometimes called the Elixir of Life that alchemists believed was essential to achieving their goals.

It was made more famous by JK Rowling’s first novel Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and the subsequent 2001 film, in which villain Voldemort attempted to obtain the item so he could restore himself to his physical form.

The paper on sale, called ‘A Key to Snyders’, is expected to sell for up to $150,000 (£120,320) and will be offered at a Bonhams sale in the US from April 28 to May 7.

According to William Newman, the leading authority on Newton’s alchemy, Snyders’ works “had more impact on the alchemist Newton than any other author other than Philalethes.”

Newton spent decades pondering two influential texts by Snijders.

The manuscript being sold includes Newton’s identification of Snyders’ key passages, as well as his struggle to “reassemble the separated parts of Snyders’ process,” according to Professor Newman’s book Newton the Alchemist.

The articles, which are written in Latin and have some English titles, are a distillation of the chemical processes contained in the writings of the influential 17th-century alchemist Johann de Monte Snyders.

The paper on sale, called ‘A Key to Snyders’, is expected to sell for up to $150,000 (£120,320) and will be offered at a Bonhams sale in the US from April 28 to May 7.

Snyders would only convey his self-proclaimed knowledge in small chunks, confusing Newton and others.

Newton’s main goal was to find out the concrete details of Snyders’ chemical manufacturer for formulating the ‘Universal Medicine’ that would cure diseases.

The physicist spent more than thirty years on his quest to produce the Philosopher’s Stone.

He had one of the largest alchemical libraries in Europe. The scientist believed that it was necessary to compile the entire set of stages for the production of the stone from several authors.

The Philosopher’s Stone was depicted in JK Rowling’s first Harry Potter novel and subsequent 2001 film, in which villain Voldemort attempted to obtain the object so he could restore himself to his physical form.

Newton also believed that chemistry was the key to understanding gravity.

However, because he was so guarded about his alchemical research, only one text on the subject was published during his lifetime.

‘De Natura Acidorum’, written in 1692, was printed without his permission.

Newton famously told how he was inspired to formulate his theory of gravity after seeing an apple fall from a tree.

Philosopher Voltaire later wrote in his Essay on Epic Poetry: “Sir Isaac Newton, walking through his gardens, had the first idea of ​​his gravitational system when he saw an apple fall from a tree.”

In addition to his scientific activities, Newton helped save the British economy as master of the Royal Mint.