Schwarz, Berthold
Schwarz, Berthold
(bĕr`tôlt shvärts), fl. 14th cent., German Franciscan monk and alchemist. It was formerly widely believed, especially in Germany, that he invented gunpowder and was the first to construct bronze cannon. It is now known, however, that gunpowder was discussed by Roger BaconBacon, Roger,c.1214–1294?, English scholastic philosopher and scientist, a Franciscan. He studied at Oxford as well as at the Univ. of Paris and became one of the most celebrated and zealous teachers at Oxford.
..... Click the link for more information. in the 13th cent. and was known to the Chinese much earlier.