John Dee ( July 13 , 1527 â `` 1609 ) was a noted English mathematician , astronomer , astrologer , geographer , occultist , and consultant to Queen Elizabeth I. He also studied to alchemy , divination , and Hermetic philosophy . John Dee ( 13 July 1527 â `` 1608 or 1609 ) was a noted English mathematician , astronomer , astrologer , occultist , navigator , imperialist , and consultant to Queen Elizabeth I. He devoted much of his life to the study of alchemy , divination , and Hermetic philosophy .