Count of St. Germain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Count of St. Germain
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| Comte de Saint Germain | |
Engraving by Nicolas Thomas, 1783 (based on a painting then owned by Jeanne Camus de Pontcarré and now lost); , contained at the Louvre
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| Born | 1691 or 1712 |
| Died | 27 February 1784 |
| Other names | Marquess of Montferrat (Fr. Marquis de Montferrat), Count Bellamarre (Fr. Comte Bellamarre), Knight Schoening (Fr. Chavelier Schoening), Count Weldon, Count Soltikoff (Fr. Comte Soltikoff), Manuel Doria, Graf Tzarogy, Prince Ragoczy (Ge. Prinz Ragoczy) |
The Count of St. Germain was a mysterious European adventurer. He lived in the 1700s and was known for his interests in science, alchemy (an old form of chemistry), and the arts. He became famous among the rich and powerful people of Europe. He even met well-known figures like Casanova, Voltaire, and Mozart.
The Count used many different names and titles. Some of these included the Marquess of Montferrat and Prince Ragoczy. He started being called the Count of St. Germain in the early 1740s. He made some very unusual claims, like saying he was 500 years old! Because of this, Voltaire called him "the Wonderman." He also said the Count was "a man who does not die, and who knows everything."
Contents
The Count's Mysterious Beginnings
The Count's birth and early life are still a secret. Near the end of his life, he claimed to be the son of Francis II Rákóczi. Francis II was a prince from Transylvania. If this were true, it would explain his wealth and good education.
Some people thought he was Leopold George, the eldest son of Francis II. Leopold George was believed to have died young. But some thought his identity was kept secret to protect him. When the Count arrived in Schleswig in 1779, he told Prince Charles of Hesse-Kassel he was 88 years old. This would mean he was born in 1691.
It was also believed that St. Germain was educated in Italy. He might have been taught by Gian Gastone, the Grand Duke of Tuscany. He was also thought to be a student at the University of Siena. The Count purposely kept his real name and origins hidden. He used different fake names in the many places he visited across Europe.
The Count's Adventures in Europe
The Count traveled a lot and met many important people. He was known for his charm and intelligence.
Time in England
The Count was in London in the 1740s. He may have helped write songs for an opera there in 1745. Later that year, he was arrested because people thought he might be a spy. This was during a time when there was a rebellion in England. But he was released because nothing could be proven against him.
Horace Walpole, a famous writer, described the Count as an "odd man." He said the Count would not tell anyone who he was or where he came from. The Count claimed he never used his real name. He was also a talented musician. He could sing, play the violin wonderfully, and compose music. Walpole noted that the Count spoke many languages easily. He dressed in fancy clothes and had many jewels.
Life in France
Around 1748, St. Germain appeared at the French court. In 1749, Louis XV, the King of France, even hired him for special diplomatic tasks.
Giacomo Casanova, another famous adventurer, met the Count in Paris in 1757. Casanova described him as a "celebrated and learned impostor." He said the Count was an amazing talker. St. Germain wanted to amaze people, and he often succeeded. He was a scholar, knew many languages, and was a musician and chemist. He was also good-looking and charming.
The Count even gained the favor of Madame de Pompadour, the King's mistress. She spoke about him to King Louis XV. The Count built a laboratory for the King. There, the King tried to find some fun by making dyes. St. Germain claimed the dyes discovered by the King would help French fabrics.
Casanova wrote that this "extraordinary man" would calmly say he was 300 years old. He also claimed to know the secret to a "Universal Medicine." He said he could control nature and even melt diamonds. He claimed he could turn small diamonds into one large, perfect diamond without losing any weight. Casanova found him astonishing, even with all his big claims.
Time in the Dutch Republic
In March 1760, during a big war, St. Germain traveled to The Hague. He stayed with bankers in Amsterdam. He pretended he was borrowing money for King Louis XV using diamonds as security. He also helped start a porcelain factory in Weesp.
St. Germain tried to help make peace between Britain and France. But the French King was convinced to disown St. Germain and order his arrest. A Dutch diplomat helped St. Germain escape to England. He traveled under a fake name, showing that this was sometimes allowed back then.
The Count's Creations
Musical Works
The Count of St. Germain was a talented musician. He composed several pieces of music. These included:
- Trio Sonatas: Music for two violins and a bass instrument.
- Violin Solos: Pieces for a single violin.
- English Songs: Songs with English lyrics.
- Italian Arias: Songs with Italian lyrics, some of which were performed in an opera.
Literary Works
Only a few writings are believed to be from the Count. These include a mystical poem and two books.
One book is called La Très Sainte Trinosophie. It is an old manuscript with beautiful pictures. It describes a spiritual journey or an alchemy process. Some people think it was copied from a text the Count once owned.
The second work is an untitled manuscript shaped like a triangle. It is known as The Triangular Book of St. Germain. This book directly mentions St. Germain as its creator. It describes a magical ritual. This ritual supposedly helps one gain great wealth and live a very long time. These are two things the Count was famous for claiming he could do.
The Count's Last Days
In 1779, the Count arrived in Altona, Schleswig. There, he met Prince Charles of Hesse-Kassel. Both men were interested in mysticism and secret societies. The Count showed Charles his gems. He convinced Charles that he had found a new way to color cloth. Charles was impressed. He gave the Count a factory and materials for his project.
They often met and worked together in a laboratory. They even created gemstones and jewelry. Charles later said that the Count truly trusted only him. The Count told Charles he was the son of Francis II Rákóczi and was 88 years old when he arrived.
The Count's Death
The Count died at his factory home on February 27, 1784. Prince Charles was not there at the time. His death was recorded in the church register in Eckernförde. He was buried on March 2 in a private grave. A month later, the city announced an auction of his belongings. This would happen if no relatives came forward to claim them.
After the Count's death, Charles gave the factory to the crown. It was later turned into a hospital. When researchers looked into the Count's estate, they found only bills, receipts, some cash, and clothes. There were no diamonds, jewels, gold, or other riches listed. His personal items, like his violin, were also missing.
The Count's Lasting Impact
In Books and Stories
The Count of St. Germain has inspired many fictional stories and characters.
- He appears in the Japanese game series Ikemen Vampire. Here, he is a kind, rich, and intelligent nobleman. He gives a second chance at life to famous figures like Napoleon Bonaparte and Leonardo da Vinci.
- In Katherine Kurtz's novel Two Crowns for America, he is a master planner behind the scenes.
- He is a character in the video game Castlevania: Curse of Darkness. He is a time traveler who fights against Death.
- He also appears in the Netflix animated series Castlevania. He is a traveling magician looking for a special place called the "Infinite Corridor."
- He is a significant character in Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. He seems to be a time traveler in these stories.
- He is a supporting character in The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel fantasy series.
- The Count appears in several Megami Tensei video games. Sometimes he is an enemy, and other times he is a time-traveling shopkeeper.
- In the TV series Warehouse 13, he is an immortal man. He uses a special ring to get rich and heal people.
- He is the main villain in The Ruby Red Trilogy novels. He tries to gain immortality by controlling people with a time-traveling gene.
- He is the main character in Paul Andrews' novel The Man Who Would Not Die. This book shows him as the son of Prince Rákóczi.
- He is a mentor in the adventure game Card Shark.
- He inspired the character of the Millennium Earl in the manga series D. Gray Man.
- In the novel Foucault's Pendulum, a character claims to be the Count St. Germain.
- The visual novel Code: Realize − Guardian of Rebirth shows him as an eccentric aristocrat. He hosts famous characters like Arsène Lupin and Victor Frankenstein in his home.
In Spiritual Beliefs
Many spiritual groups see the Count of St. Germain as a special spiritual teacher. He is sometimes called a "Master of the Ancient Wisdom" or an "Ascended Master." These groups believe he has magical powers. They think he can teleport, float, and walk through walls.
Some groups believe he inspired the Founding Fathers of the United States. They think he helped them write the United States Declaration of Independence and design the Great Seal of the United States.
In some New Age beliefs, St. Germain is linked to the color violet and the jewel amethyst. He is also seen as the "Chohan of the Seventh Ray." This means he is connected to a special energy that will guide the coming "Age of Aquarius."
Past Lives
Some spiritual teachings believe that the Count of St. Germain lived many past lives. These include:
- A ruler of a "Golden Age civilization" 70,000 years ago in the Sahara Desert.
- A high priest in Atlantis 13,000 years ago.
- Samuel, a religious leader in ancient Israel.
- Hesiod, an ancient Greek poet.
- Plato, a famous Greek philosopher.
- Saint Joseph, the husband of Mary and guardian of Jesus.
- Saint Alban, an early British martyr.
- Proclus, a Greek philosopher.
- Merlin, the mythical magician from King Arthur's stories.
- Roger Bacon, an English philosopher and scientist.
- Christopher Columbus, the explorer who landed in the Americas.
- Francis Bacon, a famous English philosopher and statesman. Some believe he wrote the plays attributed to Shakespeare.
Becoming an Ascended Master
According to some beliefs, Francis Bacon faked his death in 1626. He then traveled to Transylvania. On May 1, 1684, he supposedly achieved "Ascension." This means he became immortal and eternally young through his knowledge of alchemy. At this point, Francis Bacon is believed to have taken the name "Saint Germain."
Doubts and Questions
Not everyone believes the stories about the Count of St. Germain. Some scholars think that the "Masters" described by spiritual leaders were actually just important mentors. Others believe that some of these claims were made up.
Images for kids
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Engraving by Nicolas Thomas, 1783
