Henry Wellcome was an enthusiastic collector. However, the demands of running his business meant he had to employ others to scour the globe purchasing books, manuscripts and objects on his behalf. One of Wellcome's trusted aides not only acquired printed works but also produced his own – with somewhat mixed results.

C J S Thompson (1862–1943) was a crucial figure in Wellcome’s collecting activities. As well as assembling purchased artefacts into what would become the Wellcome Historical Medical Museum, he also coordinated the work of Wellcome's collecting agents across the world.

The author of over 40 books, Thompson specialised in works that mixed history with literature. Titles such as The Mystery and Romance of Alchemy (1897) and Poison Romances and Poison Mysteries (1899) reflect the collections accumulating around him, although Thompson’s populist approach contrasted with Wellcome's high-minded ideals for his museum.

The influence of Thompson's day job can be seen in his only novel, Zorastro: A romance (1899), a copy of which is held by the Wellcome Library (see image above). While the passages in the novel that cover the eponymous hero's alchemical skills show an author knowledgeable in the subject, the story itself is rather clichéd – not only is there a Count Wolf as a dastardly villain, but a section actually begins "It was a dark stormy night…"