Francis Bacon

A SUMMARY

Introduction

Bacon was brought up in humanistic contextBacon was an English philosopher, a statesman, and a lawyer by professionKnown as a catalyst for the Scientific RevolutionHis two peerages, Baron Verulam, and Viscount St. Alban became extinct with his death

Early Years

Born to Sir Nicholas Bacon and his second wife Ann Cooke on January 22nd 1561

Very poor health from a young age caused the need for homeschooling

Schooled on medieval, Latin-based curriculum

Entered Trinity College at age 12 Very smart even from a young age

Midlife

Three main goals: Serve his country, serve his church, and discover truth

In 1580 he applied for a job at a court which failed and resulted in him spending several years at Gray’s Inn studying law, until becoming admitted as an outer barrister

In 1584 he took a seat on Parliament for Melcombe of Dorset and later for Taunton.

He spent his time in Parliament writing on conditions of the Church’s parties as well as philosophical reform of “Temporis Partus Maximus”

This position led him upwards slowly to greater publicity

Career Peak

In 1596 Bacon was appointed to Queens Counsel, but missed the position of Master of the Rolls