Who was My Alchemist?

Posted on by Teagan Riordain Geneviene

Saturday, August 10, 2024

Cornelis Drebbel Sint Maarten stamp
Cornelis Drebbel stamp

The late 14th century wasn’t exactly an era that was big on invention.  It’s been called the dog days of the Renaissance.  It was however, filled with wonderful art and poetry.  Although let’s not forget the religious strife, or the veritable tide of warring kingdoms. 

It was also a time into which Cornelis Drebbel was born, in 1572, in Holland, to be precise.  Apprenticed to an engraver, he studied and he was quite good at it.

Although engraving wasn’t the only thing he learned about from that master.  His teacher was also an alchemist.  He also taught Cornelis the chemistry of the late 1500s.  

Drebbel set himself up as a maker of maps and pictures.  However, it was the actual world that grabbed his imagination, not just the world on paper and canvas. 

There’s a wealth of information available about the real, historic person Cornelis Drebbel.  So, I won’t go into a full-fledged biography here… but I’ll share just a little more. 

Cornelis Drebbel c. 1904. Wikipedia altered image

The fusion of art and science is, of course, technology, and Cornelis went from there to inventing the most extraordinary things.  He patented a specialized pump.  He invented a thermometer for ovens, and an improved chimney.  He created a new scarlet dye that came from a chemical reaction with tin.  He built a perpetual-motion machine — a clock driven by atmospheric-pressure changes, which never needed winding.  Not to mention, the first navigable submarine.

Wikimedia Commons
Wikimedia Commons

The barometric clock of Cornelis Drebbel patented in 1598
and then known as “perpetuum mobile”.
Print by Hiesserle von Choda (1557-1665).

Back to that religious and political strife — Cornelis even got himself arrested.  His perpetual motion machine became so famous that Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor, invited Drebbel to Prague in 1610 and again in 1619. Turbulent imperial politics saw him arrested on both occasions and it was only royal interventions from England that ensured his release.

Is there any wonder that in the wrongly-wired twistings of my mind, a fictionalized version of him became one of my all-time favorite characters to write?  While the time of Cornelis was long before the Steam Era, I chose him for the protagonist in my steampunk story.  I brought him forward to that era… or part of him anyway.  You’ll have to read the story to understand what I mean.

Cornelis Drebbel, the Alchemist: and the Woman in Trousers is coming soon.

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Thanks for spending time here.  Friendly comments are encouraged.   Hugs!

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Of course, I can’t omit the obligatory shameless self-promotion.  The Delta Pearl is also whimsical, if in a rather different way from the stories I’ve done for Cornelis Drebbel.

The Delta Pearl duology

Universal Purchase Links

Series Link:

Kindle and Paperback:  relinks.me/B0D34H5BYT

The Delta Pearl: A Steampunk Riverboat, Book 1

Kindle:  relinks.me/B0D4NPS5LP

Paperback:  relinks.me/B0D4Q1J94Q

The Geostrophic Pearl:  The Delta Pearl Book 2

Kindle:  relinks.me/B0D4R6MB1Y

Paperback:  relinks.me/B0D4TR686Q

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All images are either the property of the author, or used with permission, or from free sources.

Copyright © 2024 by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

All rights reserved.

60 thoughts on “Who was My Alchemist?”

  6. Thanks for telling us readers about this cool guy. I’d never heard of Cornelis Drebbel. I’m quite impressed by him! I was introduced to the idea of a perpetual-motion machine in a museum in Baltimore, and I was wowed that inventors have been trying to create one. I can see why you chose to put Cornelis in your book 🙂

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    1. Hi, Dave. (Sorry for the late response.) I had not heard of him until I ran across him back in 2015. When I started researching him, I was amazed that he wasn’t a household name. His character is fun to write. Wishing you an easy coast down the other side of this midweek hump. Hugs.

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  7. Teagan,

    I’m loving the whole Cornelis Drebbel thing.

    Thank you for the history! I adore history.

    It is so cool that you’ve revived him with big twist.

    Congrats on the book! The cover truly is stellar.

    Hugs!

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    1. Hi, Resa. I apologize for such a late reply. (I’ve been a basketcase all week, and not even for any good reason.) I’m delighted that you liked this post and Cornelis. He would turn over in his grave if he saw what character I based on him, but it’s so much fun to write! LOL. Many thanks about the cover too. Big hugs winging back to you.

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  9. Cornelis Drebbel is my all-time favorite characters to read! Thanks for giving us more information about him. I love that you brought him forward in time to star in your novel. I’m sure he’d be thrilled and appreciative that you brought him into the steampunk era. Like a kid in a candy store 😉

    I hope you have a wonderful week ahead, Teagan.

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  10. What a fascinating man! I’m always in awe of people who excel at multiple things. I can see his attraction as a character study. Science and magic were once intertwined–we could use a little more of that sometimes. (K)

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    1. You are so kind, Colleen — thank you. It’s right up there with “Thistledown: Midsummer Bedlam” for the level of whimsy (although a completely different kind of story). It was a “3 Things” style story, and the random reader things fully carried the details of the story. Bringing all the threads created by the “things” for the end was probably the biggest challenge I’ve ever given myself in writing. Have a great weekend. Hugs.

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  18. I remember Cornelius Drebbel, and he was indeed a wonderful historic character, although I’m not sure he was half as entertaining as your version. And I’ll keep my mouth shut as well about what I know about him… Good luck with the launch, Teagan! We can’t wait! (Big hugs and love to the scoobies as well, of course)!

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    1. Thanks, Olga. Haha! Learning about him and that submarine certainly was just a springboard that inspired his character. He’d probably turn over in his grave if he read the story. The Scoobies send you many loud purrs. Hugs winging back to you.

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  19. The first thought that ran across my mind – Is Teagan talking about The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho? Did she spin the widely acclaimed The Alchemist? On clicking the post and reading it the experience was different. I often do that in my mind, take a real character and twist him/her in my creative ways. However, that emotion doesn’t stay long in my mind. I guess, I’m distracted by a lot of things in my life especially making money to survive. I enjoyed re-imagining Cheluvi’s story in my way and I did think of a second story but right now I’m busy with my travel posts. Wishing you success for this upcoming book. Hugs

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    1. Hi, Sharukh. You make a good point, so I changed the title of the post. I had forgotten about that book. I’ve never read it, but I investigated it years ago while doing research. Working independently is difficult even under the best circumstances. I understand. You could probably tell that I’ve been in a veritable frenzy to finish more books. I’m sending you prosperity vibes. 😎 And hugs!

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    1. Luisa, you are such a great historian, that’s high praise. Thanks very much. Although my character of Cornelis is truly “inspired” by him (rather than “based on”), it was fun and intriguing to learn about him. I appreciate you visiting. Hugs.

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    1. Thanks, Darlene. Haha — as I told Olga, he would turn over in his grave if he saw the character I wrote. It’s definitely “inspired” rather than fully based on him. However, it was still huge fun to learn about him. I appreciate you reading and commenting. Hugs.

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