Biography
Overview
John Locke (1632-1704) was an English philosopher and the 'Father of Liberalism,' whose ideas shaped the Enlightenment and modern democratic governance. In *An Essay Concerning Human Understanding*, he argued that the mind is a *tabula rasa* (blank slate) at birth, with all knowledge deriving from experience, founding the school of British Empiricism.
Politically, his *Two Treatises of Government* challenged the divine right of kings, asserting that all individuals possess natural rights to life, liberty, and property. He proposed that government is a social contract based on the consent of the governed, with a right to revolution if that trust is betrayed. His *A Letter Concerning Toleration* further advocated for the separation of church and state.
Locke’s foundational principles directly informed the American Declaration of Independence and current constitutional traditions worldwide, prioritizing individual liberty and the rule of law.
Locke’s world, year by year
16321704
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Dated facts
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- 1632John Locke was born on 29 August 1632 to Puritan parents in the village of Wrington, Somerset.
- 1647He entered Westminster School in London in 1647 and was admitted to Christ Church, Oxford, in the autumn of 1652.
- 1667In 1667 he moved into the London home of Anthony Ashley Cooper, later Earl of Shaftesbury, as his personal physician.
- 1669In 1669 he helped draft the Fundamental Constitutions of Carolina, acting as secretary to Ashley, one of Carolina's Lords Proprietors.
- 1675He studied medicine at Oxford and was awarded a bachelor of medicine in February 1675.
- 1683After Shaftesbury fell from favour, Locke went into political exile in the Netherlands in 1683, returning with Queen Mary II in 1689.
- 1689His works A Letter Concerning Toleration (1689) and Two Treatises of Government (1689/90) appeared anonymously, alongside An Essay Concerning Human Understanding (1689/90).
- 1704He spent his last years at Oates Manor in Essex with Sir Francis and Lady Damaris Masham, and died there on 28 October 1704.
Alive at the same time
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Wars during this life
- Portuguese Restoration War
- Franco-Spanish War
- Ottoman-Venetian War of Candia
- Anglo-Dutch Wars
- Catalan Revolt (Reapers' War)
- Great Turkish War
Sources
Primary works and follow-on reading.
Primary Sources
- An Essay Concerning Human Understanding
- Two Treatises of Government
- A Letter Concerning Toleration
- Reference profile for John Locke
Further Reading
- Locke - Nicholas Jolley
- John Locke: A Very Short Introduction - John Dunn
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about John Locke.
Who was John Locke?
John Locke (1632-1704) was an English philosopher and the 'Father of Liberalism,' whose ideas shaped the Enlightenment and modern democratic governance. In *An Essay Concerning Human Understanding*, he argued that the mind is a *tabula rasa* (blank slate) at birth, with all knowledge deriving from experience, founding the school of British Empiricism. Politically, his *Two Treatises of Government* challenged the divine right of kings, asserting that all individuals possess natural rights to life, liberty, and property. He proposed that government is a social contract based on the consent of the governed, with a right to revolution if that trust is betrayed. His *A Letter Concerning Toleration* further advocated for the separation of church and state. Locke’s foundational principles directly informed the American Declaration of Independence and current constitutional traditions worldwide, prioritizing individual liberty and the rule of law.
What was John Locke best known for?
Locke is best known as a philosopher. English philosopher of empiricism and liberal government, advancing mind, rights, and toleration.
When did John Locke live?
Locke lived 1632-1704 CE, born in 1632 and died in 1704, during the early modern period.
Can I chat with an AI version of John Locke?
Yes, free. Anyone can ask Locke, and a first question needs no account. Every answer is a Simulation in character, grounded in Locke’s real life, work and era. A good first question is: "How did you arrive at the idea that the mind at birth is a blank slate?"
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- Reasoning & Evidence: From experience to justified belief
- Civic Design: Consent, rights, and limits in institutions
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“John Locke.” HistorIQly. https://historiqly.com/ai-historical-figures/john-locke/
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