Count of St. Germain

The Count of St. Germain (French: Comte de Saint Germain; French pronunciation: [kɔ̃t də sɛ̃ ʒɛʁmɛ̃]; 1691 or 1712 – 27 February 1784), whose real name and origins remain unknown, was a European adventurer who had interests and achievements in science, alchemy, philosophy, and the arts. He rose to prominence in the European high society of the mid-18th century due to his works and interests. He associated himself with some of the most prominent figures of the era, including Giacomo Casanova, Voltaire and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

The count used a variety of names and titles, including the Marquess of Montferrat (Fr. Marquis de Montferrat), Count Bellamarre (Fr. Comte Bellamarre), Knight Schoening (Fr. Chevalier Schoening), Count Weldon, Count Soltikoff (Fr. Comte Soltikoff), Manuel Doria, Graf Tzarogy, and Prince Ragoczy (De. Prinz Ragoczy). He appears to have begun to be known under the title of the Count of St Germain during the early 1740s.

He is said to have made far-fetched claims (such as being 500 years old), leading Voltaire to dub him "the Wonderman", and that "he is a man who does not die, and who knows everything".

Note: In this letter dated April 15, 1760, Voltaire addresses the situation of the Comte de St. Germain, who had recently fled to evade an arrest warrant.

Your ministers will certainly have better plans than I do in Breda; the Duke of Choiseul, M. de Kaunitz, and Mr. Pitt do not reveal their secrets to me. It is said that only M. de Saint-Germain knows them – he who once dined in Trent with the fathers of the Council, and who may perhaps have the honor of being received in audience by Your Majesty in about fifty years. He is a man who never dies and who knows everything. As for me, whose career is drawing to its close and who knows nothing, I can only hope that you may know the Duke of Choiseul.

Prince Charles of Hesse-Kassel, called him "one of the greatest philosophers who ever lived".

Read more about this composer on Wikipedia.