Paracelsus (; late 1493 – September 24, 1541), born
Philippus Aureolus Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim, was a
Swiss German philosopher, physician, botanist, astrologer, and general
occultist. He is credited as the founder of
toxicology. He is also a famous revolutionary for utilizing observations of nature, rather than referring to ancient texts, something of radical defiance during his time. He is credited for giving
zinc its name, calling it
zincum. Modern psychology often also credits him for being the first to note that some diseases are rooted in
psychological conditions.