John Locke is widely regarded as the most important and influential English philosopher.
He is known as the creator of the English philosophical empiricist tradition and was at the forefront of a movement heralded as the first wave of the modern enlightenment.
His work formed the founding principles of political liberalism, beginning a long tradition of philosophy which adhered to empiricism, deciding against the notion of inherited truths associated with rationalists and traditional philosophy.
Locke’s theory emphasised sensation, perception, autonomous inquiry and acquired learning.
His radical, anti-authoritarian opinions regarding education, religion and society formed a huge part of how the role, and influence, of individuals in society has evolved.
In this rare and extensively researched biography, revered academics Thomas Fowler and John Morley have examined the life of Locke, providing a chronological account which elucidates how his work evolved from his early life in Oxford.
They explore his education, friendships, employment and travel, documenting the events which preceded his revolutionary work An Essay Concerning Human Understanding.
Initially published in 1880 as part of the English Men of Letters series, Locke demonstrates the remarkable legacy of John Locke’s political philosophy as a pioneering intellectual authority.
Thomas Fowler (1832-1904) was a British academic and held the positon of Professor of Logic at Oxford University from 1873-1889. He was President of Corpus Christi College at the university when he died. His works included volumes on Deductive and Intuitive Logic.
John Morley (1838-1923) was a British editor who was tutored by Thomas Fowler during his time at Oxford. Morley was also a member of parliament. He served as the Chief Secretary for Ireland and later as the Secretary of State for India.
