Magnenus [Magnen, Magnien], Johann Chrysostom

1. Dates

Born: Luxeuil, Burgundy, c. 1590

Died: c. 1679

Dateinfo: Both Dates Uncertain

Lifespan: 89 These are the DSB dates: Güsgens places Magnenus' likely birth about ten years later and his likely death about ten years earlier, which would reduce his lifespan by twenty years.

2. Father

Occupation: Unknown

Partington calls him a patrician which seems to indicate that the father was a member of that class, though this was the only mention of it.

No information on financial status.

3. Nationality

Birth: Luxeuil-les-Bains, France

Career: Pavia, Italy

Death: unknown. Italy or France, presumably

4. Education

Schooling: Dol, M.D.

He received an M.D. from the University of Dôle. As usual, I will assume a B.A. or its equivalent.

5. Religion

Affiliation: Catholic (assumed).

6. Scientific Disciplines

Primary: Natural Philosophy, Pharmacology

Subordinate: Astrology

Magnenus' importance in the history of science derives from his attempt to reinstate the Democritean theory of atomism as a respectable part of seventeenth century natural philosophy. His Democritus reviviscens (1646) was typically regarded as instrumental in establishing a comprehensive alternative to Aristotelianism. His other writings include De tabaco (1648), which treats of the medical usage and effects of tobacco, and De manna liber singularis (1648). He used what is called tobacco syrup as his standard medicine prescribed to patients.

Magnen's works reveal a great predilection for astrology, which he called the queen of the sciences. He thought that few who followed it really understood its usefulness.

7. Means of Support

Primary: Medicine, Academia

Secondary: Patronage

After receiving his M.D., he travelled first in Italy, becoming well-known as a doctor.

Professor of Medicine, University of Pavia, 1646, with a salary of 600 lire. He later became Professor of Philosophy in addition. Apparently he remained at the university for the rest of his life.

1660, he was chosen personal physician to the Count of Fuensaldagne, the ambassador to the French court, whom he accompanied to Paris. This appears to have been a temporary appointment.

8. Patronage

Types: Aristrocrat, Eccesiastic Official, Government Official, City Magistrate

He was personal physician to the Count of Fruensaldagne.

Among his patients were Octavianus Picenardus, President of the Senate from Milan, Cesari Monti, Archbishop of Milan, and Gaspare Alifero, another official.

He dedicated Democritus reviviscens to the Senate of Milan (Pavia was under Milanese control).

9. Technological Involvement

Types: Medical Practice, Pharmacology

He practiced medicine before becoming a professor and after leaving Pavia. It is not known whether he practiced medicine while a professor.

10. Scientific Societies

Memberships: None known

Sources

1. Partington, 2, 455-8.
2. J. Güsgens, Die Naturphilosophie des Johannes Chryostomos Magnenus, (Bonn, 1910). This turns out to be an extract of Güsgens' dissertation, and among the parts left out is the section on Magnenus' life.
3. _____, Joannes Chrysostomus, ein Naturphilosoph des 17.
4. Jahrhunderts, (Bonn: Hanstein, 1910). The rather brief biographical sketch is in this version.
5. A. Hirsch, Biographisches Lexikon der hervorragenden Aerzte aller Zeiten und Voelker (3rd ed., Munich, 1962). [ref. Z6658.B615 1962] Hoefer, Nouvelle biographie générale, (Paris, 1857-66).
6. Michaud, Biographie universelle, (Paris, 1828).

Compiled by:

Richard S. Westfall

Department of History and Philosophy of Science

Indiana University

Note: the creators of the Galileo Project and this catalogue cannot answer email on geneological questions.