Harry Potter's World: Renaissance Science, Magic, and Medicine

• Introduction
• Images from Eskind's Collection:
• Alchemy | Herbology
• Lecture by Professor Holly Tucker
• Credits
• Bibliography
• Harry Potter's World at the NLM

Eskind Biomedical Library

October 1, 2014 – November 12, 2014

From October 1 to November 12, the Eskind Biomedical Library is proud to host "Harry Potter's World: Renaissance Science, Magic, and Medicine." The EBL will also be displaying examples of Renaissance-era texts from its own collections, including works by Paracelsus, Ambroise Pare, Konrad Gesner, and Adam Lonicer. Learn about potable gold ("the true elixir of life"), ceremonial magic, and why they call brandy "the water of life." See 16th century sea monsters and the true wolfsbane, sneezewort, and deadly nightshade.

The main exhibit, as well as selections from Eskind's alchemy collection, will be in the Historical Collections room on the third floor of the Eskind Library. But don't miss the herbology and sea monsters in the exhibit cases on the first floor. The exhibit will be open to the public Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

We have included just a few images from the books in our exhibit on this site. Those with keener eyes may find sea monsters lurking...