Alexander Cuming
Imprisonment
Imprisonment
------------

Being now deeply in debt, Cuming turned to [alchemy](/wiki/Alchemy "Alchemy"), and attempted experiments on the transmutation of metals. In 1737 he was confined within the limits of the [Fleet Prison](/wiki/Fleet_Prison "Fleet Prison"), but having a rule of court. He remained there until 1765, when, on 30 December of that year, he was nominated a poor brother of the [London Charterhouse](/wiki/London_Charterhouse "London Charterhouse") by [Archbishop Secker](/wiki/Archbishop_Secker "Archbishop Secker"), and took up residence in the hospital on 3 January 1766\. He died there nearly ten years afterwards, and was buried in the [church of East Barnet](/wiki/St_Mary_the_Virgin%2C_East_Barnet "St Mary the Virgin, East Barnet") on 28 August 1775\. He had been elected a fellow of the [Royal Society](/wiki/Royal_Society "Royal Society") in 1720, but, neglecting to pay the annual fee, was expelled in 1757\.


Why did Cuming turn to alchemy?