Nicolas Flamel: The Immortal Alchemist

Nicolas Flamel was a famous French scrivener, alchemist, philosopher, and manuscript-seller--but perhaps I should use the present tense is, because Flamel is rumored to be immortal and still alive today.

Many of us are familiar with Nicolas Flamel's name from reading J.K. Rowling's famous Harry Potter books. However, not as many of us are aware of the fact that Flamel actually did exist, and, just like in Rowling's books, he did attempt to create the Philosopher's Stone (or Sorcerer's Stone, to us Americans).

Flamel was a highly accomplished European alchemist who supposedly achieved the two main goals of alchemy: creating the Philosopher's Stone, which turns metals into gold and stone into gemstone,  and creating the Elixir of Life, which gives the drinker immortality.

If fable is indeed fact, Flamel and his wife, Perenelle, are alive and kicking even today. In fact, Flamel makes several appearances in Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code, Indiana Jones and the Philosopher's Stone, and even a manga series called Fullmetal Alchemist.