Fang (alchemist)

Fang (Chinese: 方), was a Chinese scientist (alchemist), who lived during the first century B.C.[1] She was the earliest recorded woman alchemist in China.

She is only known under her family name Fang. Raised in a scholarly family skilled in the alchemical arts, she studied alchemy with one of the Emperor Han Wu Ti's spouses, and therefore had access to the highest levels of society.

Fang was credited with the discovery of the method to turn mercury into silver. It was believed that she may have used the chemical technique of silver extraction from ores using mercury, where pure silver residue is left behind from the boiled mercury. Fang's husband Cheng Wei (simplified Chinese: 程伟; traditional Chinese: 程偉) was known to have physically abused her trying to obtain the secret procedure, although she refused to give it to him.

Fang eventually went insane and committed suicide. Details of Fang's life were recorded by author and alchemist Ge Hong.[1]

Notes and references

Rayner-Canham, Marelene; Rayner-Canham, Geoffrey (2001). Women in Chemistry: Their Changing Roles from Alchemical Times to the Mid-Twentieth Century (History of Modern Chemical Sciences. Philadelphia: Chemical Heritage Foundation. pp. 4–5. ISBN 978-0941901277.

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[:0-1] Rayner-Canham, Marelene; Rayner-Canham, Geoffrey (2001). Women in Chemistry: Their Changing Roles from Alchemical Times to the Mid-Twentieth Century (History of Modern Chemical Sciences. Philadelphia: Chemical Heritage Foundation. pp. 4–5. ISBN 978-0941901277.