The Count of St. Germain or in French Comte de Saint Germain (French pronunciation: [kɔ̃t də sɛ̃ ʒɛʁmɛ̃]; c. 1691 or 1712 – 27 February 1784) was a European adventurer who achieved prominence in European high society of the mid-18th century due to his interest and achievements in science, alchemy, philosophy, and the arts. St. Germain used a variety of names and titles, including the Marquis de Montferrat, Comte Bellamarre, Chevalier Schoening, Count Weldon, Comte Soltikoff, Manuel Doria, Graf Tzarogy, and Prinz Ragoczy. While his real name is unknown, and his birth and background obscure, towards the end of his life he claimed that he was a son of Prince Francis II Rákóczi of Transylvania. 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". Prince Charles of Hesse-Kassel is recorded as having called him "one of the greatest philosophers who ever lived". He associated himself with some of the top figures of the day including Casanova, Voltaire and Mozart. Source: Wikipedia (en)