Introducing myself

Browsing through the archive, it seems to be the custom to introduce 
oneself

Hi, I'm Alan and I'm a ... 

Well I'm not entirely sure what I am now. I was a librarian for some 
years, & enjoyed myself playing with computers and did an MPhil on the 
applications of graph theory to information transfer networks; then moved 
into academic administration. For the last 15 years have run my own 
business supplying geographic data.

I am now working on an update of a bibliography that I did for my FLA 
thesis on alchemy and my main reason for joining this group is because I 
want to develop a faceted classification for the literature on alchemy. My 
formal training was in 1965-66 (under Jack Mills & Chris Needham), so I 
rapidly need to catch up on what has been going on in the last 40 years. 
Apart from anything else I have always been interested in classification. 
It was reading Ranganathan at Hull University library (instead of 
attending chemistry lectures!) that made me want to become a librarian.

The literature of alchemy is a fascinating topic. Apart from the core 
texts and studies on alchemical processes and symbolism and the 
inter-relationship between physical and spiritual alchemy, there is a 
whole range of studies on the influences of alchemy (and especially 
alchemical symbolism) on almost every other topic under the sun. It is one 
of the most pervasive cultural currents, influencing literature, art, 
music, psychology, medicine, science (e.g. Newton & Boyle) as well the 
more occult areas of the Rosicrucians, Freemasons, Golden Dawn and many 
mystical traditions (Law, Boehme especially).

The core areas do parallel chemistry to some extent, and I am looking 
forward to seeing the Bliss schedules for chemistry when they appear 
shortly. There are the same concepts of processes and materials. I am 
beginning to draw up a list of facets using the categories that appear on 
the BCA website.

I'll stop there. Whilst the topic fascinates me, it can develop into a 
hobby-horse.

Best wishes
Alan Pritchard MPhil FCLIP MBCS

ALCHEMY: a bibliography of English-language writings
2nd (Internet) edition at
http://www.cix.co.uk/~apritchard


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