The 13th Element: The Sordid Tale of Murder, Fire, and Phosphorus- Blog 1

John Emsley begins the book, The Thirteenth Element: The Sordid Tale of Murder, Fire, and Phosphorus, with an intriguing introduction of phosphorus. Phosphorus is man made, and not a natural element, but a chemical element. Phosphorus is a derivative of phosphates when oxidized. The name phosphorus derives from the ancient Greek words phos, meaning light, and phorus, meaning bringing. The chemical element, is known for murder, spontaneous human combustion, graveyard ghosts, and mysterious lights.
Beginning in the first chapter, Emsley informs us of the multiple "founders" of phosphorus. Although it may have been around for a long time before, the story begins with Henning Brandt. On a cold, dark night this alchemist was having no luck with his recent experiments, and was on the road of searching for the philosopher's stone. Like many before him, he was studying the gold stream, also referred to as urine, and heating the residues from which he had boiled down to a dry solid. Stoking at his fire, he recognized a pale green lighted flame and hour after hour the light never disappeared. Indeed, he had phosphorus. As this goes on, Brandt, calling himself Herr Doktor  Brandt, creates many friends and foes at the same time. Like many alchemist, money was tough and that's where the other founders come into play, including Johann Kunckel and Daniel Kraft. Daniel Kraft became the one who bought all of Brandt's phosphorus and traveled around palaces, showing off and entertaining the rich. When Kunckel was denied access to the phosphorus from Kraft and Brandt, he went on to do his own work.
The story turns toward Johann Kunckel, when he successfully produces phosphorus on his own and not only that but successfully turns lead into gold which Brandt could not do. With his many fortunes, came great opportunity and the book continues. Kunckel was given the name of discoverer, and died in 1703. While Kunckel and Brandt at home, Kraft continued making his progress showing off the phosphorus he bought off of Brandt, making a name for himself. Time continues, and Brandt became in need for more money. Eventually he became the resident alchemist in the Court of St. James, requested by the Duke. The alchemy of phosphorus is deeply discussed and shown and that's where the fun begins.
Throughout the books, simple and hard questions are asked and answered. Such as, what is phosphorus? Why does it glow in the dark? How can it be produced from urine? And the journey begins.