Mary the Jewess

Mary the Jewess, also referred to as Mary the Prophetess or Maria the Copt, is considered one of the earliest Western alchemists. Her work is known through references by Zosimos of Panopolis and other authors within the Greek alchemical tradition. This historical figure is believed to have been active in Alexandria, with her lifetime estimated to have fallen between the 1st and 3rd centuries CE.

Mary the Jewess is notable for being listed among the first writers on alchemy by several historians, including Marilyn French, F. Sherwood Taylor, and Edmund Oscar von Lippmann. These scholars date her contributions to the field of alchemy as early as the 1st century, highlighting her significance in the development of early chemical knowledge. As one of the pioneering figures in Western alchemy, Mary the Jewess has left a lasting impact on the history of chemistry, with her work continuing to be recognized and studied by scholars today.