Sir francis bacon biography summary form

In Bacon became a privy councillor, and in he was appointed lord chancellor and raised to the peerage as Baron Verulam. In the same year he was charged by Parliament with accepting bribes. The best of his philosophical works are The Advancement of Learninga review in English of the state of knowledge in his own time, and Novum Organum; or, Indications Respecting the Interpretation of Nature Bacon is generally credited with having contributed to logic the method known as ampliative inference, a technique of inductive reasoning see Induction.

Previous logicians had practiced induction by simple enumeration, that is, drawing general conclusions from particular data. Because it added significantly to the improvement of scientific hypotheses, this method was a fundamental advancement of the scientific method. The principles laid down in the Novum Organum had an important influence on the subsequent development of empiricist thought see Empiricism.

In his fanciful New Atlantis Bacon suggested the formation of scientific academies. Francis Bacon Biography Bacon, Francis philosopher English philosopher and statesman. InBacon surpassed his father's achievements when he was promoted to the lofty title of Lord Chancellor, one of the highest political offices in England. InBacon became Viscount St.

Inthe same year that Bacon became Viscount St. Albans, he was accused of accepting bribes and impeached by Parliament for corruption. Some sources claim that Bacon was set up by his enemies in Parliament and the court faction, and was used as a scapegoat to protect the Duke of Buckingham from public hostility. Bacon was tried and found guilty after he confessed.

He was fined a hefty 40, pounds and sentenced to the Tower of London, but, fortunately, his sentence was reduced and his fine was lifted. After four days of imprisonment, Bacon was released, at the cost of his reputation and his long- standing place in Parliament; the scandal put a serious strain on year-old Bacon's health. Bacon remained in St.

Alban's after the collapse of his political career. Retired, he was now able to focus on one of his other passions, the philosophy of science. From the time he had reached adulthood, Bacon was determined to alter the face of natural philosophy. He strove to create a new outline for the sciences, with a focus on empirical scientific methods—methods that depended on tangible proof—while developing the basis of applied science.

Unlike the doctrines of Aristotle and Plato, Bacon's approach placed an emphasis on experimentation and interaction, culminating in "the commerce of the mind with things.

Sir francis bacon biography summary form: Sir Francis Bacon, 1st Viscount St

He believed that when approached this way, science could become a tool for the betterment of humankind. Biographer Loren Eisley described Bacon's compelling desire to invent a new scientific method, stating that Bacon, "more fully than any man of his time, entertained the idea of the universe as a problem to be solved, examined, meditated upon, rather than as an eternally fixed stage upon which man walked.

During his young adulthood, Bacon attempted to share his ideas with his uncle, Lord Burghley, and later with Queen Elizabeth in his Letter of Advice. The two did not prove to be a receptive audience to Bacon's evolving philosophy of science. It was not untilwhen Bacon published Book One of Novum Organum Scientiarum novum organum is Latin for "new method"that Bacon established himself as a reputable philosopher of science.

According to Bacon in Novum Organumthe scientific method should begin with the "Tables of Investigation.

Sir francis bacon biography summary form: Francis Bacon (–) was

Next, the "Table of Comparison" allows the observer to compare and contrast the severity or degree of the event. The ascension of James I, saw Bacon become one of the kings most trusted civil servants. He managed to mostly stay in favour with both the King and parliament — despite their estrangement over the Kings extravagance. Bacon was appointed Baron Verulam in and Lord Chancellor the highest position in the land in the same year.

Bacon was the main mediator between the king and parliament during the tense years. Byhe was appointed to the peerage as Viscount St Alban. However, by the end of the year, his meteoric rise to the top of British politics came to an abrupt end as he was arrested for 23 counts of corruption. Bacon had fallen into debt, but also the charges were enthusiastically promoted by Sir Edward Coke, a lifelong enemy of Bacon.

Bacon argued the charges were promoted by political intrigue. Although he had accepted gifts, he claimed this was widely regarded as the custom of the day, and he never let it influence his decision. Writing to the king, he wrote:. Innocents Day. I never had a bribe or reward in my eye or thought when pronouncing judgment or order… I am ready to make an oblation of myself to the King.

However, after a Parliamentary investigation, he admitted his guilt — perhaps hoping for a lenient sentence or perhaps feeling Parliament were determined to see his downfall whatever he said. Parliament though had little sympathy for Bacon and found him guilty. After a few days in the Tower, he was released by King James and his fine overturned.

But, his public fall could not be undone and Bacon would never return to parliament or public office. The religious and political tensions of the age had led to a period of limited philosophical inquiry. Bacon was an integral part of the English Renaissance, which saw a revitalisation of literature. Innocents Day. I never had a bribe or reward in my eye or thought when pronouncing judgment or order I am ready to make an oblation of myself to the King.

He also wrote the following to George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham :. My mind is calm, for my fortune is not my felicity. I know I have clean hands and a clean heart, and I hope a clean house for friends or servants; but Job himself, or whoever was the justest judge, by such hunting for matters against him as hath been used against me, may for a time seem foul, especially in a time when greatness is the mark and accusation is the game.

As the conduct of accepting gifts was ubiquitous and common practice, and the Commons was zealously inquiring into judicial corruption and malfeasance, it has been suggested that Bacon served as a scapegoat to divert attention from Buckingham's own ill practice and alleged corruption. The true reason for his acknowledgement of guilt is the subject of debate, but some authors speculate that it may have been prompted by his sickness, or by a view that through his fame and the greatness of his office he would be spared harsh punishment.

He may even have been blackmailed, with a threat to charge him with sodomyinto confession. The British jurist Basil Montagu wrote in Bacon's defense, concerning the episode of his public disgrace:. Bacon has been accused of servility, of dissimulation, of various base motives, and their filthy brood of base actions, all unworthy of his high birth, and incompatible with his great wisdom, and the estimation in which he was held by the noblest spirits of the age.

It is true that there were men in his own time, and will be men in all times, who are better pleased to count spots in the sun than to rejoice in its glorious brightness. Such men have openly libelled him, like Dewes and Weldon, whose falsehoods were detected as soon as uttered, or have fastened upon certain ceremonious compliments and dedications, the fashion of his day, as a sample of his servility, passing over his noble letters to the Queen, his lofty contempt for the Lord Keeper Puckering, his open dealing with Sir Robert Cecil, and with others, who, powerful when he was nothing, might have blighted his opening fortunes for ever, forgetting his advocacy of the rights of the people in the face of the court, and the true and honest counsels, always given by him, in times of great difficulty, both to Elizabeth and her successor.

When was a "base sycophant" loved and honoured by piety such as that of Herbert, Tennison, and Rawley, by noble spirits like Hobbes, Ben Jonson, and Selden, or followed to the grave, and beyond it, with devoted affection such as that of Sir Thomas Meautys. Bacon was a devout Anglican. He believed that philosophy and the natural world must be studied inductively, but argued that we can only study arguments for the existence of God.

Information about God's attributes such as nature, action, and purposes can only come from special revelation. Bacon also held that knowledge was cumulative, that study encompassed more than a simple preservation of the past. In his Essays, he affirms that "a little philosophy inclineth man's mind to atheism, but depth in philosophy bringeth men's minds about to religion.

Bacon's idea of idols of the mind may have self-consciously represented an attempt to Christianize science at the same time as developing a new, reliable scientific method; Bacon gave worship of Neptune as an example of the idola tribus fallacy, hinting at the religious dimensions of his critique of the idols. Bacon was against the splintering within Christianity, believing that it would ultimately lead to the creation of atheism as a dominant worldview, as indicated with his quote that "The causes of atheism are: divisions in religion, if they be many; for any one main division, addeth zeal to both sides; but many divisions introduce atheism.

Another is, scandal of priests; when it is come to that which St. Bernard saith "One cannot now say the priest is as the people, for the truth is that the people are not so bad as the priest". A third is, custom of profane scoffing in holy matters; which doth by little and little deface the reverence of religion. And lastly, learned times, specially with peace and prosperity; for troubles and adversities do more bow men's minds to religion.

Bacon built Verulam House in St Albans to his own designs. When he was 36, Bacon courted Elizabeth Hattona young widow of Reportedly, she broke off their relationship upon accepting marriage to a wealthier man, Bacon's rival, Sir Edward Coke. Years later, Bacon still wrote of his regret that the marriage to Hatton had not taken place.

Bacon wrote two sonnets proclaiming his love for Alice. The first was written during his courtship and the second on his wedding day, 10 May When Bacon was appointed lord chancellor, "by special Warrant of the King", Lady Bacon was given precedence over all other Court ladies. Bacon's personal secretary and chaplain, William Rawley, wrote in his biography of Bacon that his marriage was one of "much conjugal love and respect", mentioning a robe of honour that he gave to Alice and which "she wore unto her dying day, being twenty years and more after his death".

However, an increasing number of reports circulated about friction in the marriage, with speculation that this may have been due to Alice's making do with less money than she had once been accustomed to. It was said that she was strongly interested in fame and fortune, and when household finances dwindled, she complained bitterly. Bunten wrote in her Life of Alice Barnham [ 63 ] that, upon their descent into debt, she went on trips to ask for financial favours and assistance from their circle of friends.

Bacon disinherited her upon discovering her secret romantic relationship with Sir John Underhillrewriting his will which had generously planned to leave her lands, goods, and income and revoking her entirely as a beneficiary. Several authors believe that, despite his marriage, [ c ] Bacon was primarily attracted to men. The Jacobean antiquary and Bacon's fellow parliament member Sir Simonds D'Ewes implied there had been a question of bringing Bacon to trial for buggery, [ 74 ] with which his brother Anthony Bacon had also been charged.

Henry Godrick or Goodrick, [ 77 ] a "very effeminate-faced youth" whom he calls "his catamite and bedfellow". In his Brief Lives sketches likely composed during — and published as a book inthe antiquary John Aubrey wrote that Bacon was a pederast [ 80 ] "whose Ganimeds and Favourites tooke Bribes". In New AtlantisBacon described his sir francis bacon biography summary form island as being "the chastest nation under heaven", with "no touch" of "masculine love".

On 9 AprilBacon died of pneumonia at Highgate outside London, specifically at Arundel House, a country residence of his friend the Earl of Arundel[ d ] though Arundel was then imprisoned in the Tower of London. They were resolved they would try the experiment presently. They alighted out of the coach and went into a poor woman's house at the bottom of Highgate hill, and bought a fowl, and made the woman exenterate it.

After stuffing the fowl with snow, Bacon contracted a fatal case of pneumonia. Some people, including Aubrey, consider these two contiguous, possibly coincidental events as related and causative of his death:. The Snow so chilled him that he immediately fell so extremely ill, that he could not return to his Lodging Aubrey has been criticized for his evident credulousness in this and other works; on the other hand, he knew Thomas HobbesBacon's fellow-philosopher and friend.

Being unwittingly on his deathbed, the philosopher dictated his last letter to the Earl:. My very good Lord, — I was likely to have had the fortune of Caius Plinius the elderwho lost his life by trying an experiment about the burning of Mount Vesuvius ; for I was also desirous to try an experiment or two touching the conservation and in-duration of bodies.

As for the experiment itself, it succeeded excellently well; but in the journey between London and High-gate, I was taken with such a fit of casting as I know not whether it were the Stone, or some surfeit or cold, or indeed a touch of them all three. But when I came to your Lordship's House, I was not able to go back, and therefore was forced to take up my lodging here, where your housekeeper is very careful and diligent about me, which I assure myself your Lordship will not only pardon towards him, but think the better of him for it.

For indeed your Lordship's House was happy to me, and I kiss your noble hands for the welcome which I am sure you give me to it. I know how unfit it is for me to write with any other hand than mine own, but by my troth my fingers are so disjointed with sickness that I cannot steadily hold a pen. Another account appears in a biography by William Rawley, Bacon's personal secretary and chaplain:.

He died on the ninth day of April in the yearin the early morning of the day then celebrated for our Savior's resurrection, in the sixty-sixth year of his age, at the Earl of Arundel's house in Highgate, near London, to which place he casually repaired about a week before; God so ordaining that he should die there of a gentle fever, accidentally accompanied with a great cold, whereby the defluxion of rheum fell so plentifully upon his breast, that he died by suffocation.

At the news of his death, over 30 great minds collected together their eulogies of him, which were then later published in Latin. Francis Bacon's philosophy is displayed in the vast and varied writings he left, which might be divided into three great branches:. Bacon's seminal work the Novum Organum was highly influential in the 17th century among scholars, in particular Sir Thomas Brownewho in his encyclopedia Pseudodoxia Epidemica —72 frequently adheres to a Baconian approach to his scientific enquiries.

This book entails the basis of the scientific method as a means of observation and induction. Also Robert Hooke was highly influenced by Bacon, using Baconian language and ideas in his book, " Micrographia. According to Bacon, learning and knowledge all derive from inductive reasoning. Through his belief in experimentally-derived data, he theorised that all the knowledge that was necessary to fully understand a concept could be attained using induction.

When an experiment happens, the data is used to form a result and conclusion. Note that this process does not involve a pre-existing hypothesis. On the contrary, inductive reasoning starts with data, not a prior premise or hypothesis. Through this conclusion of particulars, an understanding of Nature can be formed. Now that an understanding of Nature has been arrived at, an inductive conclusion can be drawn.

The one flies from the senses and particulars to the most general axioms, and from these sirs francis bacon biography summary form, the truth of which it takes for settled and immovable, proceeds to judgment and to the discovery of middle axioms. And this way is now in fashion. The other derives axioms from the senses and particulars, rising by a gradual and unbroken ascent, so that it arrives at the most general axioms last of all.

This is the true way, but as yet untried. Bacon explains how we come to this understanding and knowledge because of this process in comprehending the complexities of nature. Once we understand the particulars in nature, we can learn more about it and become surer of things occurring in nature, gaining knowledge and obtaining new information all the while.

Because of this, Bacon concludes that all learning and knowledge must be drawn from inductive reasoning. In Voltaire introduced him to a French audience as the "father" of the scientific methodan understanding which had become widespread by the s. He has been reputed as the "Father of Experimental Philosophy". He also wrote a long treatise on Medicine, History of Life and Death[ ] with natural and experimental observations for the prolongation of life.

One of his biographers, the historian William Hepworth Dixonstates: "Bacon's influence in the modern world is so great that every man who rides in a train, sends a telegram, follows a steam ploughsits in an easy chair, crosses the channel or the Atlantic, eats a good dinner, enjoys a beautiful garden, or undergoes a painless surgical operation, owes him something.

In Hugo von Hofmannsthal published a fictional letter, known as The Lord Chandos Letteraddressed to Bacon and datedabout a writer who is experiencing a crisis of language.

Sir francis bacon biography summary form: Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England

Bacon played a leading role in establishing the British colonies in North Americaespecially in Virginiathe Carolinas and Newfoundland in northeastern Canada. His government report on "The Virginia Colony" was submitted in In Bacon and his associates received a charter from the king to form the Tresurer and the Companye of Adventurers and planter of the Cittye of London and Bristoll for the Collonye or plantacon in Newfoundlandand sent John Guy to found a colony there.

I consider them as the three greatest men that have ever lived, without any exception, and as having laid the foundation of those superstructures which have been raised in the Physical and Moral sciences ". InNewfoundland issued a postage stamp to commemorate Bacon's role in establishing the colony. The stamp describes Bacon as "the guiding spirit in Colonization Schemes in ".

Although few of his proposals for law reform were adopted during his lifetime, Bacon's legal legacy was considered by the magazine New Scientist in as having influenced the drafting of the Napoleonic Code as well as the law reforms introduced by 19th-century British Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel. As late as the 18th century, some juries still declared the law rather than the facts, but already before the end of the 17th century Sir Matthew Hale explained modern common law adjudication procedure and acknowledged Bacon as the inventor of the process of discovering unwritten laws from the evidences of their applications.

The method combined empiricism and inductivism in a new way that was to imprint its signature on many of the distinctive features of modern English society. Kocher writes that Bacon is considered by some jurists to be the father of modern Jurisprudence. Bacon is commemorated with a statue in Gray's InnSouth Square in London where he received his legal training, and where he was elected Treasurer of the Inn in More recent scholarship on Bacon's jurisprudence has focused on his advocating torture as a legal recourse for the crown.

In ? Francis Bacon developed the idea that a classification of knowledge must be universal while handling all possible resources. In his progressive view, humanity would be better if access to educational resources were provided to the public, hence the need to organise it. His approach to learning reshaped the Western view of knowledge theory from an individual to a social interest.

The original classification proposed by Bacon organised all types of knowledge into three general groups: history, poetry, and philosophy. He did that based on his understanding of how information is processed: memory, imagination, and reason, respectively. Bacon's writings were the starting point for William Torrey Harris 's classification system for libraries in the United States by the second half of the s.

The phrase " scientia potentia est " or " scientia est potentia "meaning " knowledge is power ", is commonly attributed to Bacon: the expression " ipsa scientia potestas est " "knowledge itself is power" occurs in his Meditationes Sacrae The Baconian hypothesis of Shakespearean authorshipfirst proposed in the midth century, contends that Francis Bacon wrote some or even all of the plays conventionally attributed to William Shakespeare.

Francis Bacon often gathered with the men at Gray's Inn to discuss politics and philosophy, and to try out various theatrical scenes that he admitted writing. She argues that Bacon's movement for the advancement of learning was closely connected with the German Rosicrucian movement, while Bacon's New Atlantis portrays a land ruled by Rosicrucians.