Most portrayals of astrologers at work are satirical. This project takes seriously the encounters between the astrologer and his clients. ‘Credulous lady & astrologer’, a colour stipple-engraving by Pierre Simon after John Raphael Smith, c. 1800. Wellcome Library, London
What is my disease? Am I pregnant? Will I die? These are the sorts of questions that thousands of people asked Simon Forman and Richard Napier, two of the most popular astrologers in early modern England. Through four busy decades, Forman and Napier recorded something in the region of 85,000 consultations. Their casebooks are probably the richest surviving records of medical practice before 1700. They provide a unique view of the lives of ordinary — and extraordinary — people four centuries ago.
Our freely available electronic edition combines sophisticated editorial expertise and cutting-edge digital humanities to make these records accessible as never before, allowing you to browse and search the casebooks.
Announcements
Release 2: Search Facility
With our latest release it is now possible to search the casebooks. Forman’s records of 10,079 consultations are now searchable, and work on our forthcoming edition of Napier’s records is well under way.
For details of earlier developments on the site, see Our releases.
Document last modified: 30 March 2012
Cite this as: "Welcome | Casebooks Project", Casebooks Project (http://www.magicandmedicine.hps.cam.ac.uk/)
