Principal Dates in Bacon's Life
Introduction
A Note on the Text and Annotation
Further Reading
THE ESSAYSAPPENDICESThe Essays: Fragments, Versions and
Parallels
1. Writing the Essays
2. Counsels for the Prince
3. The Wisdom of the Ancients
4. Idols of the Mind
5. A Poetical Essay
Francis Bacon, philosopher, essayist, lawyer and statesman, was
born in London in 1561. He studied at Cambridge and was enrolled at
Gray's Inn in 1576. In 1584 he entered Parliament, and made the
acquaintance of the Earl of Essex, who endeavoured to advance him
in his career. Nevertheless, having been appointed to investigate
the causes of Essex's revolt in 1601, Bacon was largely responsible
for the earl's conviction. Bacon was appointed Solicitor-General in
1607 and eventually became Lord Chancellor in 1618. In 1621 he was
charged with bribery, fined and imprisoned in the Tower. Following
his release, he retired to his family home and spent his remaining
years in philosophical and literary work. His ambition was to
create a new system of philosophy to relace that of Aristotle, and
he has been justly acclaimed as an inspiration to later scientists,
rationalits and materialists. He died in 1626.
John Pitcher is a Fellow of St John's College, Oxford. He has
edited Cymbeline for the Penguin Shakespeare and The Winter's Tale
for the third series of the Arden Shakespeare.
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