Who are the contributors in alchemy?

Alchemy was a pseudoscience with several differing branches. The aims of these various branches were to:

• convert base metals, such as lead, into noble metals, such as gold;
• develop a panacea to treat all ailments,
• develop an elixir of life - giving immortality,
• develop an alkahest - a solvent which could dissolve anything.

Chemistry, as a scientific discipline, gradually demonstrated that these aims were either impossible or not viable. Transforming elements was possible but only through nuclear fusion or fission and these processes were not economically worthwhile.

There were, however, many well known scientists who were also alchemists: among them Roger Bacon, Tycho Brahe, Isaac newton.