Mary Anne Atwood's famous investigation of Hermeticism delves into the Ancient Greek origins of the teachings, and goes on to examine numerous sources from across the ages.

First appearing in 1850, Atwood's lengthy studies of the Hermetic philosophers and alchemists of ages past spurred much interest. Every chapter contains numerous annotations and source citations, while ancient poetic verses and instructions left by far-gone practitioners are quoted at length. The author casts her net wide, examining the mythology and literature of Ancient Greece and Rome, various Medieval and Renaissance-era writings on chemistry and medicine, plus the surviving works of an eclectic yet pertinent range of scholars.

Atwood successfully collated and organized a great many disparate accounts of Hermeticism and alchemical practice, her knowledge of Latin and Greek proving useful for the arduous task. Knowledge and insights previously obscure were now available in a united, comprehensive treatment - interest burgeoned, yet A Suggestive Inquiry was soon out of print. The author opted to live a secluded life, and refused to allow further printings of her masterwork. Following Atwood's death in 1910, a new edition was finally released, inclusive of slight revisions and corrections.