Francis Bacon

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Oxford University Press, 1996 - Fiction - 813 pages
"This is the first extensive one-volume anthology of Bacon's writings since 1905. It includes the major English literary works on which his reputation rests: the Advancement of Learning (1605), the Essays (1597 and 1625), and the posthumously published New Atlantis (1626). In addition it reprints sixteen other works which are not otherwise available, which show Bacon's remarkable all-round abilities in politics, law, theology, and poetry." "A special feature of the edition is its extensive annotation, which identifies Bacon's sources and allusions (in the Bible, in classical literature, and in Renaissance texts). It also provides full explanation of Bacon's vocabulary, which is as rich as Shakespeare's, but far less familiar. Detailed headnotes recreate the political and intellectual contexts in which these works were produced."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

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Contents

Introduction
xv
Chronology
xlv
An Advertisement touching the Controversies of the Church
1
Copyright

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About the author (1996)

Francis Bacon was born on January 22, 1561 in London. After studying at Cambridge, Bacon began a legal career, ultimately becoming a barrister in 1582. Bacon continued his political ascent, and became a Member of Parliament in 1584. In 1600, he served as Queen Elizabeth's Learned Counsel in the trial of Robert Devereaux, the Earl of Essex. After numerous appointments under James I, Bacon admitted to bribery and fell from power. Much of Bacon's fame stems from the belief by some that he was the actual author of the plays of William Shakespeare. While many critics dismissed that belief, Bacon did write several important works, including a digest of laws, a history of Great Britain, and biographies of the Tudor monarchy, including Henry VII. Bacon was also interested in science and the natural world. His scientific theories are recorded in Novum Organum, published in 1620. Bacon's interest in science ultimately led to his death. After stuffing a fowl with snow to study the effect of cold on the decay of meat, he fell ill, and died of bronchitis on April 9, 1626.

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