Roger Bacon, a medieval English philosopher and scholar, is believed to have been born near Ilchester, Somerset. His family was apparently wealthy. Following his studies at Oxford under Robert Grosseteste and in Paris under Peter Peregrinis, Bacon acquired a reputation for his research in philosophy, magic and alchemy. Because of these interests, Bacon was dubbed "doctor mirabilis," which translates as wonderful teacher. Bacon joined the Franciscan order sometime around 1257, but soon thereafter returned to Oxford University to pursue research in experimental science. One of his projects was an attempt to compile an encyclopedia of universal knowledge based on his three major works, but this project eventually proved to be too much of an undertaking for one man even during his lifetime. Between 1265 and 1268, Bacon was in favor with Pope Clement IV. But Bacon later earned a reputation for his outspokenness and his quarrelsome nature, and for refusing to...