The Closet of Sir Kenelm Digby Opened 1669, Peter Davidson & Jane Stevenson (eds.)

The Closet of Sir Kenelm Digby Opened 1669, Peter Davidson & Jane Stevenson (eds.)One of the great works of seventeenth century culinary literature. Sir Kenelm Digby (1603 1665), was a soldier, sailor, pirate and diplomat; man of letters, bibliophile and collector; alchemist, scientist, philosopher, medical theorist and mathematician; a man of sensibility, a great lover, and a cook. Here was a true Renaissance man, one who John Aubrey described as 'Such a goodly handsome person, gigantique and great voice that had he been drop't

One of the great works of seventeenth-century culinary literature. Sir Kenelm Digby (1603-1665), was a soldier, sailor, pirate and diplomat; man of letters, bibliophile and collector; alchemist, scientist, philosopher, medical theorist and mathematician; a man of sensibility, a great lover, and a cook. Here was a true Renaissance man, one who John Aubrey described as 'Such a goodly handsome person, gigantique and great voice ... that had he been drop't out of the clowdes in any part of the world, he would have made himselfe respected.'

Throughout his years of travel, conversation, high-living and acquaintance with the great and good of this country and Europe, Sir Kenelm collected recipes: of making mead and other drinks, and of cookery: After his death, they were published anonymously but in fact, as the editors here prove, by his erstwhile assistant, George Hartman.

Elizabeth David wrote of this: 'His book is a beautiful piece of English kitchen literature as well as a collection of recipes set down with considerable accuracy.'

This is a new transcription of the first edition of 1669, provided with a wide-ranging introduction, useful notes and a glossary: Here may be found printed for the first time the inventory of Sir Kenelm's kitchen goods in his London house at his death: and the editors also offer some useful translations of recipes into modern kitchen usage.