Death of Merlin: Arthurian Myth and Alchemy. This item is unavailable.Death of Merlin: Arthurian Myth and Alchemy

The story of King Arthur and the Grail still holds a remarkable fascination for many people. In this classic work, Walter Johannes Stein traces its origins in early Christianity and classical and Nordic mythology, and follows its development in medieval and modern times. In particular, Stein explores the parallels between the quest for the Grail and the medieval alchemists' search for the Philosopher's Stone. This book is a collection of essays that were first published, or delivered as lectures, in the 1920s and 1930s. The first section of the book is Stein's own memoirs, which ground his research in the cultural background of the era.

Dr. Walter Johannes Stein (1891-1957) was an Austrian philosopher and a pioneer of Anthroposophy. He studied at Vienna University and was a student of Rudolf Steiner. After World War I, Steiner invited him to Stuttgart to teach history and German literature at the first Waldorf school. There, Stein began his lifelong investigation into the Grail legend. In 1928, he published The Ninth Century and the Holy Grail. He moved to London in 1933 and became editor of the journal, The Present Age.