Robert Flood, or Fludd, or, as he latinizes his name,. Robertus de Fluctibus, was born at Milgate House, in the parish of Bearstead, in 1574. He was the son of Sir Thomas Fludd, treasurer to Queen Elizabeth. He was educated at Oxford, after which he spent several years in European travel. On his return he practised physic, attained to eminence, and was elected a Fellow of the College of Physicians. He died in 1637. He was a distinguished member of the Rosicrucian Brotherhood, and wrote many treatises in support of its fantastic philosophy, which attracted sufficient attention to be honoured with replies from Kepler, Mersenne, Gassendi, and the chief scientific men of the time.

[See Wood's "Athenæ Oxon," by Bliss; Fuller's "Worthies," Granger's "Biographical History."]