Der Alchemist von Meiningen: Herzog Bernhard I. (1649-1706) auf der Suche nach dem „Stein der Weisen“ / The alchemist of Meiningen: Duke Bernhard I (1649-1706) in search of the "Philosopher's Stone"

The article deals with the alchemical activities of duke Bernhard I. of Sachsen-Meiningen. This prince was very much interested in alchemy and left a voluminous set of self-written papers. In these manuscripts he explains his ideas and experimental results concerning certain laboratory processes which he tested and which allegedly should lead to the "Philosopher's Stone". Additional documents corroborate his contacts with other alchemists and the expectations he nurtured in connection with his experiments. The activities of duke Bernhard proof that also in the Age of Enlightenment alchemy played an important role for the understanding of nature and was more than just a hobby for well-off persons.