Biography
Overview
Francis Bacon was born in 1561 at York House in London, the son of Sir Nicholas Bacon, Lord Keeper of the Great Seal. He was a precocious child, entering Trinity College, Cambridge, at twelve. He studied law at Gray's Inn, served briefly in the English embassy in France, and spent decades seeking advancement in the courts of Elizabeth I and James I, often frustrated by rivals and patrons who failed to reward his talents.
He was knighted in 1603, became Attorney General in 1613, Lord Chancellor in 1618, and Baron Verulam and then Viscount St. Alban. In 1621, he was charged with accepting bribes; he confessed, though insisting the gifts never influenced his judgments, and was imprisoned briefly before retiring in disgrace to his estate. There he dedicated his final years to philosophy. His great project was the 'Instauratio Magna', a grand renovation of human learning.
Bacon’s world, year by year
15611626
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Dated facts
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- 1561Francis Bacon was born on 22 January 1561 at York House near the Strand in London, son of Sir Nicholas Bacon, Lord Keeper of the Great Seal.
- 1573He entered Trinity College, Cambridge, in April 1573 at the age of 12, and took up residence in law at Gray's Inn in 1579.
- 1597In 1597 he became the first Queen's counsel, when Elizabeth I appointed him as her legal advisor.
- 1597His works include the Essays (1597, enlarged 1612 and 1625), The Advancement of Learning (1605) and the Instauratio Magna with the Novum Organum (1620).
- 1603Under James I he was knighted in 1603 and became Solicitor General in 1607, Attorney General in 1613 and Lord Chancellor in 1618.
- 1618He was created Baron Verulam on 12 July 1618 and Viscount St Alban on 27 January 1621.
- 1621In 1621 Parliament charged him with corruption; he was fined £40,000, held briefly in the Tower of London, and barred from future office.
- 1626He died of pneumonia on 9 April 1626 at Arundel House in Highgate, outside London, aged 65.
Alive at the same time
Overlap Same years; not influence
Wars during this life
- French Wars of Religion
- Anglo-Spanish War
- Sekigahara Campaign
- Long Turkish War
- Polish–Muscovite War (Time of Troubles)
- Nine Years' War in Ireland
Sources
Primary works and follow-on reading.
Primary Sources
- Novum Organum (1620)
- The Advancement of Learning (1605)
- The Great Instauration (1620)
- New Atlantis (1627)
- Reference profile for Francis Bacon
Further Reading
- The New Organon - Cambridge Texts in the History of Philosophy
- Francis Bacon: The Major Works - Oxford World’s Classics
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Francis Bacon.
Who was Francis Bacon?
Francis Bacon was born in 1561 at York House in London, the son of Sir Nicholas Bacon, Lord Keeper of the Great Seal. He was a precocious child, entering Trinity College, Cambridge, at twelve. He studied law at Gray's Inn, served briefly in the English embassy in France, and spent decades seeking advancement in the courts of Elizabeth I and James I, often frustrated by rivals and patrons who failed to reward his talents. He was knighted in 1603, became Attorney General in 1613, Lord Chancellor in 1618, and Baron Verulam and then Viscount St. Alban. In 1621, he was charged with accepting bribes; he confessed, though insisting the gifts never influenced his judgments, and was imprisoned briefly before retiring in disgrace to his estate. There he dedicated his final years to philosophy. His great project was the 'Instauratio Magna', a grand renovation of human learning.
What was Francis Bacon best known for?
Bacon is best known as a scholar. English statesman-philosopher who championed experiment, induction, and the reform of knowledge.
When did Francis Bacon live?
Bacon lived 1561-1626 CE, born in 1561 and died in 1626, during the early modern period.
Can I chat with an AI version of Francis Bacon?
Yes, free. Anyone can ask Bacon, and a first question needs no account. Every answer is a Simulation in character, grounded in Bacon’s real life, work and era. A good first question is: "What are the idols of the mind and how do I catch myself falling for them?"
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- Research Method: From question to experiment to evidence.
- Bias Audits: Finding and reducing distortions in inquiry.
- R&D Strategy: Institutions and processes that speed discovery.
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“Francis Bacon.” HistorIQly. https://historiqly.com/ai-historical-figures/francis-bacon/
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