It is my contention based upon the available literature and an understanding of the content of the letters in possession of various institutes that Michael Scot, legendary 13th century alchemist, was in fact the originator of the Fibonacci Sequence.
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Michael Scot ( Latin: Michael Scotus; 1175 – c. 1232) was a mathematician and scholar in the Middle Ages. He translated Averroes and was the greatest public intellectual of his day. He served as science adviser and court astrologer to the Emperor Frederick II . Scot was born somewhere in the border regions of Scotland or northern England.
A legend popular in the late 13th and early 14th centuries said that Scot foresaw that a small stone would strike him in the head and kill him, so he wore an iron skullcap to avoid his death. However, he removed the cap in church, only to be struck by a stone and die.
Scot in legend. The legendary Michael Scot used to feast his friends with dishes brought by spirits from the royal kitchens of France and Spain and other lands. He is said to have turned to stone a coven of witches, which have become the stone circle of Long Meg and Her Daughters.
His involvement in alchemy, astrology and astronomy gave him a reputation for being a "wizard" which entered the mythology of Scotland, particularly in the Border area. Sir Walter Scott enhanced his reputation when he wrote about him in his ballad "The Lay of the Last Minstrel".
While traveling through Europe, he was quickly recognized as a bright brain who mastered languages and he became a translator. Yet, Scott was a curious individual and wanted to learn as much as possible about almost anything. He was fascinated with the occult and he became a vivid student of alchemy, astrology, and sorcery.
Michael Scott’s Supernatural Powers. After the death of Frederick II, Scott returned to England where he enjoyed the favor of King Henry III and his successor the first Edward. It’s unknown when and where Michael Scott died. Some say he passed away either in Italy or Spain.
We apply a physical and historical analysis to a passage by the medieval scholar Michael Scot concerning multiple rainbows, a meteorological phenomenon whose existence has only been acknowledged in recent history.
Herein we investigate the historical origins of the Fibonacci numbers. After emphasizing the importance of these numbers, we examine a standard conjecture concerning their origin only to demonstrate that it is not supported by historical chronology.