The World of Worm: Physician, Professor, Antiquarian, and Collector, 1588-1654

Ole Worm, a professor of medicine at the University of Copenhagen, had a wide range of scholarly interests, including collecting, Paracelsianism, antiquarianism, runes, and chronology. These interests were unified by his Lutheran, Melanchthonian natural philosophy, which aimed to better understand God's creation.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 274 pages
Publication date: 29 January 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive monograph delves into the diverse scholarly pursuits of Ole Worm, a renowned professor of medicine at the University of Copenhagen. While much attention has been paid to Worm's collection and the establishment of his remarkable Museum Wormianum, the rationale behind his research has often been overshadowed. Worm's interests extended far beyond medicine, encompassing a wide range of subjects such as Paracelsianism, antiquarianism, runes, and chronology. It may seem perplexing for a man considered a physician and anatomist to have such diverse interests, particularly when they seem at odds with his medical and natural philosophical pursuits. However, it is crucial to understand that Worm's multi-faceted interests were rooted in his Lutheran, Melanchthonian natural philosophy, which served as a unifying force behind all his scholarly endeavors, inquiries, and experiments.

Worm's unwavering dedication to understanding God's creation, as depicted in the Book of Nature, drove him to explore these diverse fields. His fascination with Paracelsianism, a philosophical system that emphasized the balance of bodily fluids and their influence on health, stemmed from his medical training and his desire to explore alternative medicinal practices. Similarly, his interest in antiquarianism and runes deepened his understanding of ancient cultures and their beliefs, which in turn influenced his interpretation of medical texts and his exploration of the natural world.

While Worm's interests in chronology and antiquarianism may seem unconventional for a physician, they were interconnected with his medical and philosophical pursuits. His study of chronology allowed him to better understand the evolution of medicine and the development of scientific methods over time. His interest in antiquarianism, on the other hand, provided him with a wealth of knowledge about ancient cultures and their medical practices, which he integrated into his medical theories and experiments.

In conclusion, this monograph provides a valuable insight into the multifaceted scholarly interests of Ole Worm, a physician and anatomist who transcended traditional boundaries. Through his exploration of Paracelsianism, antiquarianism, runes, and chronology, Worm sought to better understand God's creation and the role of the human body in it. His Lutheran, Melanchthonian natural philosophy served as a unifying force behind all his endeavors, allowing him to make groundbreaking contributions to medicine and science.

Weight: 430g
Dimension: 155 x 234 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032270111