Francis Bacon was born on January 22,1561 in london.He is famous for English philosopher, statesman, scientist, lawyer, jurist, author and pioneer of the scientific method. He came of an aristocratic family, being the son of Sir Nicholas Bacon, Lord Keeper of the Great Seal. His mother was the daughter of Sir Anthony Cooke, and sister-in-law of Sir William Cecil (Lord Burghley).
Not much is known of Francis Bacon's early boyhood. He is believed to have been a delicate child who suffered prolonged spells of ill-health. The gravity of his manner in his youth was due perhaps to this circumstance. His boyhood was marked also by an intense absorption in studies which normally attracted young men much senior to him in age.
In his thirteenth year he, along with his elder brother (two years his senior), proceeded to Trinity College, Cambridge. He spent three years at Cambridge and, when he left, he carried with him a deep dislike of the system of academic education that prevailed there.He had already become acquainted with court life. This was made possible, of course, by the high position occupied by his father and other influential family connections. Queen Elizabeth visited, on more than one occasion, her Lord Keeper at the latter's country residence. Once, observing the young man's grave demeanor, she referred to Francis as "her young Lord Keeper". Some of his essays provide evidence that he had early become familiar with the manners and conventions of the court. The advice he gives in his essays of how persons in high positions should behave towards superiors, inferiors and equals is based on expediency as well as reasons. Respect to one's superiors is not, according to him, an act of servility but of practical duty. Besides, if we do not respect our superiors, what respect can we expect from those inferior to us ?On June 27, 1576 both Francis and his elder brother (Antony) were admitted to Gray's Innt. But only a few months later Francis went abroad with the English Ambassador to France, and began his practical training in diplomacy. His study of continental politics and diplomacy supplied material at Gorhambury in Hertfordshire. Such as Of Ceremonies and Respects and Of Honors and Reputation.One of the four societies which have the exclusive right to call candidates to the English Bar. They arrange lectures and hold examination in law. The other three societies are known as Lincoln's Inn, the Inner Temple and the Middle Temple (The phrase "to call the bar" means to permit person to practice as a barrister orbar-at-law.)for his "Notes on the State of Europe". France was at that time in a disturbed state. Catholic and Huguenot were arrayed against each other in civil strife, and the cruel scenes that were enacted as a result thereof later provided material for his essay: Of Faction. Bacon's stay in Paris also gave him an opportunity to acquire a high degree of proficiency in the French language.
In 1579, after his father's death, he returned to England and took up residence at Gray's Inn because he found no other avenue, his representations to the government for a suitable post having gone unheeded. He was called to the bar in 1582. In 1584, having failed to better his circumstances through other channels, he entered parliament as representative of Melcombe Regis. During the winter of 1584-85 he wrote a "Letter of Advice to Queen Elizabeth" which reveals a political judgment mature beyond his years and a coolness of temper considerably in advance of the times. In it he advocated not only a milder treatment of the Puritans but also, for catholics, replacement of the oath of supremacy by an oath acknowledging thai any Englishman would be a traitor if he refused to bear arms against any foreign enemy, the Pope included.
In the 1586, parliament, he represented Taunton and in that of 1589 for Liverpool, serving on a number of committees. His political creed consisted in a persistent advocacy of a via media in all things, a middle course between popular privilege and royal prerogative, moderation in secular reform with toleration in religion. This policy he supported in two pamphlets published in 1585 and 1589. In both he pleaded for greater elasticity in matters of doctrine and of discipline.
In 1591, Bacon attached himself to the Earl of Essex who was at that lime the Queen's hot favourite. He became one of Essex's confidential advisers and early in 1593 he drew his brother, Antony, into Essex's service. However, in the parliament of 1593, when he sat for Middlesex, he seriously marred his prospects by his determined but untimely opposition to the Government's demand for a triple subsidy to help to meet the expenses of the Spanish War. This conduct turned the Queen against him and when the office of attorney-general fell vacant in 1594 she would not listen to Essex's enthusiastic advocacy of his claims. Instead she appointed Sir Edward Coke, whom Lord Burghley had supported. Even when, in the next year, Burghley joined Essex in recommending Bacon for the post of solicitor-general, the Queen still refused to appoint him, although she did make him one of her learned counsel.
Essex tried to make up for these disappointments by pressing upon Bacon the gift of a piece of land at Twickenham, valued at two thousand pounds. Essex and Bacon appear to have lived on terms of a close intimacy. Bacon sharing the social pleasures of Essex House, in furtherance of which he wrote the masque "The Conference of Pleasure" a line of work for which Bacon showed a distinct aptitude. His essay Of Masques and Triumphs shows how Bacon had studied even the art of providing entertainment.
Essex again recommended Bacon to the Queen, this lime for the Master of the Rolls, but again without success. It seems, indeed, that this persistent advocacy was more of a hindrance than a help. Moreover Bacon had now begun to feel doubts about his patron's courses. Essex had always been attracted to an active career and enamored of military renown. Also he was impetuous and easily provoked to rash actions when his counsels were resisted or rejected. In 1596, after the Cadiz expedition, he had become the idol of the military men and of the populace and Bacon saw clearly that for such a man to court such a reputation would surely alienate the Queen's affections and arouse her fears. Accordingly he wrote (in October, 1596) to Essex, urging him to seek the favor of the Queen alone, and to shun any appearance of popularity. His advice had little effect, for Essex was by then busily engaged in the preparations against invasion and afterwards, in 1597, with the Islands voyage. Bacon had by now increased his reputation by the publication of a volume containing his first Essays, together with the "Colors of Good and Evil" and the "Meditations Sacrae". He remained on friendly terms with Essex and in 1598 was writing advice to him about Irish problems.
Essex again recommended Bacon to the Queen, this lime for the Master of the Rolls, but again without success. It seems, indeed, that this persistent advocacy was more of a hindrance than a help. Moreover Bacon had now begun to feel doubts about his patron's courses. Essex had always been attracted to an active career and enamored of military renown. Also he was impetuous and easily provoked to rash actions when his counsels were resisted or rejected. In 1596, after the Cadiz expedition, he had become the idol of the military men and of the populace and Bacon saw clearly that for such a man to court such a reputation would surely alienate the Queen's affections and arouse her fears. Accordingly he wrote (in October, 1596) to Essex, urging him to seek the favor of the Queen alone, and to shun any appearance of popularity. His advice had little effect, for Essex was by then busily engaged in the preparations against invasion and afterwards, in 1597, with the Islands voyage. Bacon had by now increased his reputation by the publication of a volume containing his first Essays, together with the "Colors of Good and Evil" and the "Meditations Sacrae". He remained on friendly terms with Essex and in 1598 was writing advice to him about Irish problems.
In 1599 Essex, having failed to suppress Tyrone's rebellion in Ireland, incurred the Queen's wrath. Bacon, it seems, made some effort to mitigate her ire, but he also took a minor part, as one of her learned counsel, in accusing his patron at his informal trial before a body of privy Councillors in June 1600. Essex bore him no ill-will and shortly after his release was again on friendly terms with him. But soon afterwards Essex made an absurd attempt to instigate a revolt of the people against the Queen and even formed the desperate project of seizing the Queen's person. Essex was arrested and tried for treason. And, strange to say. Bacon played a prominent role in securing Essex's conviction. By thus biting the hand that had fed him, Bacon incurred much ill-feeling. As a result of his conviction, Essex was executed.
Whether picked by his conscience or stung by the taunts of the friends of Essex, Bacon published in 1604, an Apology for his action. He had also been responsible for drafting in 1601 the Official Declaration of the Practices and Treasons Attempted and Committed by Robert, Late Earl of Essex. Even so, his part in these actions and his efforts in the great monopolies debate of 1601 to guide the House of Commons into courses not offensive to the Queen did not win him any further advancement from Elizabeth.
The first edition of Bacon's "Essays" was published in 1597. The volume, dedicated to his brother Anthony, contained ten papers. The pregnancy of the thought and the pithiness of the style rendered the book well-nigh an epoch-making one. Its popularity was great, almost from the very day of issue.
In 1603, James I ascended to the English throne. Showing a flexible courtier's adaptability. Bacon tried to win the new sovereign's favor by every wile he could employ. With the help of his cousin, Robert Cecil, he managed to obtain Knighthood (in July 1603). In 1604 he was confirmed as learned counsel, and sat in the first parliament of the new reign as member for Ipswich, taking an active but not very successful part in the debates of its first session. He was also active as one of the commissioners for discussing a union with Scotland.
In the autumn of 1605 Bacon published his Advancement of Learning, dedicated to the King. This great philosophical treatise was afterwards translated and expanded by him into the Latin dissertation, De Augments Scientiarum. It is a noble review of the state of learning in his age, its defects, the emptiness of many of the studies chosen, and the means to be adopted to secure improvements. His essays Of Seeming Wise. Of Custom and Education, and Of Studies are all concerned with topics indicated in treatise.
In the summer of 1606, at the mature age of 45, Bacon got married. His wife. Alice Barnham, was the daughter of a London alderman. She brought him an adequate dowry, very acceptable to a man as deeply in debt as Bacon was. The ceremony was celebrated with great pomp. For fifteen years his married life remained smooth and happy, until after his downfall, when an estrangement took place between his wife and him, which was never healed.
In June 1607, Bacon at last obtained legal office and became Solicitor-General. For the next two or three years he was engaged in adjusting differences between the two great parties in the land—the High Anglicans and the Puritans. He urged toleration on both parties as well as upon the King. His political influence, however, remained negligible, a fact which he afterwards attributed to the power and jealousy of Cecil who was now Earl of Salisbury and the King's Chief Minister. But he had not forgotten his project of reorganizing the study of natural sciences. He had surveyed the ground in the Advancement of Learning; and some short pieces not published at the time were probably written during the following two or three years. Towards the end of 1607 he sent to his friends a small tract entitled Cogitata et Visa. In 1608 he wrote the panegyric In felicem memoriam Elizabethae and the learned and ingenious De sapientia veterum. He also completed what seems to have been the Redargutio philosophiarum, a treatise on the idols of the theater. In 1609 the Wisdom of the Ancients appeared, in which he explained the classic fables and mythology on allegorical principles; while new editions of his "Essays" were published in 1607 and 1612 with several additions.
In June 1607, Bacon at last obtained legal office and became Solicitor-General. For the next two or three years he was engaged in adjusting differences between the two great parties in the land—the High Anglicans and the Puritans. He urged toleration on both parties as well as upon the King. His political influence, however, remained negligible, a fact which he afterwards attributed to the power and jealousy of Cecil who was now Earl of Salisbury and the King's Chief Minister. But he had not forgotten his project of reorganizing the study of natural sciences. He had surveyed the ground in the Advancement of Learning; and some short pieces not published at the time were probably written during the following two or three years. Towards the end of 1607 he sent to his friends a small tract entitled Cogitata et Visa. In 1608 he wrote the panegyric In felicem memoriam Elizabethae and the learned and ingenious De sapientia veterum. He also completed what seems to have been the Redargutio philosophiarum, a treatise on the idols of the theater. In 1609 the Wisdom of the Ancients appeared, in which he explained the classic fables and mythology on allegorical principles; while new editions of his "Essays" were published in 1607 and 1612 with several additions.
Sir Robert Cecil. Bacon's cousin, who had recently been created Earl of Salisbury, died somewhat suddenly in 1612 and Bacon tried to obtain from the King the dead man's office. King James did not think it wise to grant the favor, feeling somewhat apprehensive as to what lengths Bacon's ideas on toleration might lead him. In his desire to secure the office of Master of the Wards, also. Bacon was destined to suffer disappointment. In 1613, however, the King consoled him with the long-cherished office of Attorney-General. The essay Of Great Place is undoubtedly written out of the fullness of his own weary experience especially the following sentence: "The rising unto place is laborious and by pains men come to greater pains; and it is sometimes base, and by indignities men come to dignities". But, apart from granting him this favour, the King paid little heed to Bacon's political advice as the King had fallen under the spell of Robert Carr (later Earl of Somerset) and the Howards. The Parliament of 1614, in which Bacon sat for Cambridge University, showed an equal distaste for Bacon's counsels.
In March 1617, Bacon was appointed Lord Keeper. It was largely to James's new favorite, George Villiers (later Duke of Buckingham), that Bacon owed this promotion and also his promotion to be Lord Chancellor in January 1618 and Baron Verulam in July of the same year. Yet Backingham's favors still did not bring Bacon any real political influence, and most of Bacon's time was still spent upon the judicial duties of his office.
Bacon displayed great energy as Chancellor and also took a prominent part in the prosecutions of Sir Waiter Raleigh (1618) and the Earl of Suffolk (1619). He had now a very large income and lived in style. On entering his sixtieth year in January 1620 he celebrated the occasion with great pomp. Ben Jonson attended the party and commemorated the scene in lines that were both flattering and felicitous. In October 1620 he published the Novum Organum (or. the New Instrument for the interpretation of Nature and the Discovery of Truth). This work elicited the warmest expressions of admiration from the ablest men of Europe. A further honor was conferred on him in January. 1621 when he was created Viscount St. Albans.
Bacon was now at the summit of his career. He had won honours, dignities, wealth and public esteem. But his sense of his glory must have been marred by a consciousness of a number of shameful acts of arbitrariness and tyranny which he had committed at the instigation of King James and the Duke of Buckingham. He consented to the execution of Sir Walter Raleigh, one of the greatest men of his times; he deserted his friend, Attorney-General Yelverton when the latter was put on trial for certain charges; he supported the Spanish alliance, against the sentiments of the nation and against his own policy; and so on. A passage in his essay Of Negotiating which shows his uneasiness at the degrading servility he had been displaying all his life, first towards the Cecils and then towards King James and the King's favourites.
Three days after Bacon had been created Viscount St. Albans, Parliament met (after having remained suspended since 1614) and soon the House of Commons began to air their accumulated grievances. His enemies seized the opportunity to bring charges of bribery and corruption against Bacon. Bacon tried to urge the King to resist these charges. He said to be King: "Those that will strike at your Chancellor, it is much to be feared will strike at your crown". But the King could do precious little. The evidence against Bacon was overwhelming. Finding his case hopeless Bacon made a confession of guilt and threw himself on the mercy of the House of Lords.
On May 3, 1621 the House of Lords after considerable discussion decided upon the sentence which was as follows:
(i) That he should pay a fineof forty thousand pounds;
(ii) That he should be imprisoned in the Tower during the King's pleasure;
(iii) That he should never again hold any public office; and
(iv) That he should never sit in parliament, or come within the verge of the court.
The sentence was, however, not fully carried out. He was released from the Tower after four days; his fine was remitted and the ban on his presence at the court was withdrawn, though the bar against his sitting in Parliament was not removed.
The remaining five years of his life were spent in work far more valuable to the world than anything he had accomplished in his high office. From the literary and philosophical point of view, this last period was, indeed, the most precious. Smitten by his disgrace he turned with much eagerness to intellectual pursuits that had been interrupted by his official duties. His new delight in his intellectual labors is finely reflected in the essay Of Nature in Men. His retirement from politics enabled him, indeed, to make his literary reputation more firm and enduring. He devoted himself with amazing energy to literature and science, and during this period produced his histories (History of Henry- VII, History of Great Britain, etc.), De Augment’s (the Latin translation with expansion of the Advancement of Learning), New Atlantis (unfinished). Not the least important work was the final revision of his "Essays" with a number of new papers, raising the total to fifty-eight. This was his last literary undertaking and was published a few months before his death.
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