JKR influenced by Frankenstein? Stone and Elixir

[bookworm417 <bookworm-417@cox.net>]

No: HPFGUIDX 51775

I've just started reading Mary Shelley's Frankenstein for school, 
and was reminded of HP by names ending in -us.  I know that 
that those names are not an unusual occurence. But what 
REALLY caught my eye was this, near the end of chapter 2: 
"Under the guidance of my new preceptors I entered with the 
greatest diligence into the search of the philosopher's stone and 
the the elixir of life; but the latter soon obtained my undivided 
attention." Page 26 1991 Bantam edition
I searched the archives and no Frankenstein showed up ( I hope 
I spelled it right!) and thought I'd share. I'm a high school student 
and had never heard of the philosopher's stone or elixir of life 
until HP; I assumed JKR had made them up!  Are they common 
fictional elements or historical objects or....?

~Alicia~
Who was amazed and ecstatic to find a HP parallel in 
school-required reading and still has MANY pages to read 
before a "Did you read? quiz" tomorrow 3rd period.