# What Was the Philosopher’s Stone?  ## Metadata - Author: [[Sarah Pruitt]] - Full Title: What Was the Philosopher’s Stone? - Category: #articles - Summary: The philosopher's stone was a legendary substance sought by alchemists from the Middle Ages to the 17th century, believed to turn base metals into gold and grant immortality. Notable figures like Nicolas Flamel and Sir Isaac Newton searched for it, contributing to the development of chemistry. The concept of the philosopher's stone also inspired popular culture, including its mention in the "Harry Potter" series. - URL: https://www.history.com/news/what-was-the-philosophers-stone ## Highlights - From the Middle Ages to the late 17th-century, the so-called “philosopher’s stone” was the most sought-after goal in the world of alchemy, the medieval ancestor of chemistry. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01jb5t647yf2y5e8239pv0fsq5)) - Roger Boyle, the father of modern chemistry ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01jb5t7tkaaqez8pmym85b7mdz))