Francis Melville has researched widely to gather his resources for this book. A student of theology, he now lives in Devon, England, where he runs a charitable foundation dedicated to research into Spagyrics--alchemical medicine. He has written for publications as diverse as The Times of London and The Fortean Times, presented a television documentary, and edited a major survey of spiritual lore. He is also the author of Love Potions and Charms, The Book of Angels, and The Secrets of High Magic, all published in North America by Barron's.