Elias Ashmole (/ɨlaɪʌs æʃmoʊl/; 23 May 1617 – 18 May 1692) was a celebrated English antiquary, politician, officer of arms, astrologer and student of alchemy. Ashmole supported the royalist side during the English Civil War, and at the restoration of Charles II he was rewarded with several lucrative offices.Ashmole was an antiquary with a strong Baconian leaning towards the study of nature.