Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library is hosting the National Library of Medicine traveling exhibition, Renaissance Science, Magic, and Medicine in Harry Potter's World. The exhibit is on the library’s first floor. It explores Renaissance era mythology, herbology, and texts inspiring Rowling’s fantasy series in a set of six panels featuring materials from the National Library of Medicine’s historical collections.
Among the surprising Renaissance era true stories behind the books, did you know that Nicholas Flamel was an actual 14th century alchemist who invented a Philosopher’s Stone? The object was rumored to be able to turn all metals into gold and create an elixir granting immortality. However, it apparently didn't work for its inventor, as Flamel died in 1417. Rowling used Flamel and his Philosopher’s Stone as the key plot device for the first Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.
The exhibit also features Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa von Nettesheim of the 15th century, a physician and occultist who wrote De Occulta Philosophia. He believed magic could benefit mankind if used respectfully.
“...in its original and pure form, magic was a sacred body of knowledge, providing the possibility of human dominion over all of created nature (elemental, celestial, and intellectual).”
Compagni, VP. (2021, Mar 18). Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.
Agrippa’s ideas frequently put him at odds with the church and rulers of his day, forcing him to move from country to country and change occupations frequently.1
In the 16th century, Konrad Gesner authored Historiae Animalium, a work of zoology that contained detailed descriptions and illustrations of animals, including basilisks, dragons and unicorns, all featured in the Harry Potter series. Gesner speculated that unicorns were “lost in the Flood,” and wrote about the medical uses of unicorn horn as a cure for poison and epilepsy.2 Apothecaries of the time claimed to stock it.
The “female mandrake” was illustrated in the Hortus Sanitatis (Garden of Health) which described the medicinal uses of mandrake and showed the root as resembling a human figure. Mandrake was used as an anesthetic and was believed to have magical powers, including the fatal scream featured in Chamber of Secrets.
Want to explore more about the Renaissance traditions and writings inspiring Harry Potter’s world? Visit Himmelfarb Library between January 17 and February 25, 2023 to view the exhibit. Stay tuned to our blog and social media channels for upcoming activities related to the exhibit.
- Compagni, VP. (2021, Mar 18). Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa von Nettesheim. Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/agrippa-nettesheim/
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art (2022). Historiae animalium (Histories of the Animals), Printed 1551. https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/479692
