title: The Magus of Freemasonry: The Mysterious Life of Elias Ashmole--Scientist, Alchemist, and Founder of the Royal Society
author:  Tobias Churton 
description: Reads like an adventure novel. Ashmole was one of the leading intellectual and spiritual lights of the time, an accomplished alchemist, and close friend to some of the most brilliant men in England. Churton has given us a compelling picture of Ashmoles life, the city in which he lived, and the guild structure of the time. (<i>Scottish Rite Journal of Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction, USA</i>)<br /><br />"This book is not only an excellent reference on the life of Elias Ashmole but also a most needed, in-depth study into the early transition from Operative to Speculative Freemasonry. It is highly recommended reading for the Masonic scholar." (<i>Gigi Minor, Ladyfogg's Reviews, Sept 2006</i>)
zlib_text: Inner	Traditions
  Rochester,	Vermont
  
  Inner	Traditions
  One	Park	Street
  Rochester,	Vermont	05767
  www.InnerTraditions.com
  Copyright	©	2004,	2006	by	Tobias	Churton
  Originally	published	in	the	United	Kingdom	in	2004	by	Signal	Publishing	under	the	title	Magus:	The	Invisible	Life
  of	Elias	Ashmole
  All	rights	reserved.	No	part	of	this	book	may	be	reproduced	or	utilized	in	any	form	or	by	any	means,	electronic	or
  mechanical,	including	photocopying,	recording,	or	by	any	information	storage	and	retrieval	system,	without
  permission	in	writing	from	the	publisher.
  Library	of	Congress	Cataloging-in-Publication	Data
  Churton,	Tobias,	1960-
  [Magus]
  The	magus	of	freemasonry	:	the	mysterious	life	of	Elias	Ashmole,	scientist,	alchemist,	and	founder	of	the	Royal
  Society	/	Tobias	Churton.
  			p.	cm.
  Originally	published	as:	Magus.
  Includes	bibliographical	references	and	index.
  ebook	ISBN:	978-1-59477-650-2
  print	ISBN-13:	978-1-59477-122-4	(pbk.)
  ISBN-10:	1-59477-122-7	(pbk.)
  1.	Ashmole,	Elias,	1617-1692.	2.	Gre