Memorial to Roger Bacon - Dr Mirabilis - Ilchester

Image: © Sarah Smith Taken: 2 Apr 2009

This memorial which was very difficult to photograph is in the church of St Mary Major. It says: "To the Immortal Memory of ROGER BACON A Franciscan Monk and also a free enquirer after true knowledge. His wonderful powers as mathematician, mechanician, optician, astronomer, chemist, linguist, moralist, physicist and physician gained him the title of "Doctor Mirabilis". He first made known the composition of gunpowder and his researches laid the foundations of modern science. He prophesied the making of machines to propel vessels through the water without sails or oars, of chariots to travel on land without horses or other draught animals; of flying machines to traverse the air. He was imprisoned, starved and persecuted by the suspicious ignorance of his contemporaries but a fuller knowledge now acclaims and honours him as one of the greatest of mankind. Born at Ilchester in 1214 Died at Oxford in 1294 This tablet is erected to commemorate the Seventh Centenary of Roger Bacon's birth by a few admirers of his genius AD 1914" For more information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Bacon

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