Dr. John Dee, His Magnificent Mortlake Library, and the Thames: A Scholar’s River of Knowledge

In this talk, Fabrizio Selli will explain that Dr. John Dee (1527–1609) was one of the most fascinating figures of the Elizabethan era—a polymath, mathematician, astronomer, astrologer, alchemist, and mystic. He was also a trusted advisor to Queen Elizabeth I and an early advocate of British imperial expansion. However, beyond his scholarly achievements and esoteric pursuits, Dee was also the owner of one of the greatest private libraries in Renaissance England. His house in Mortlake, on the banks of the River Thames, was a true sanctuary of learning, where he collected and studied thousands of rare books and manuscripts. The river, flowing just beyond his doorstep, was not only a physical presence in his daily life but also a symbol of the currents of knowledge he sought to navigate.

Meetings are held in the Jack Petchey Room on the lower ground floor of the museum. We gather from 4.30pm…