SIR FRANCIS BACON

(1561-1626)

Written by Mariah Geis April 28, 2006

One of the most interesting people to live during the Renaissance was Sir Francis Bacon: a statesman and philosopher. Though his life in Parliament and the Court was one failed promotion after another, he eventually climbed high enough and reached attorney general and even Lord Chancellor. Through Bacons genius we received the basics of the scientific method. Bacon was born in York House Strand, London, 1561. He was the youngest of five sons and received an education at home when he was young. When he was twelve he was sent to Trinity College, Cambridge. While at Cambridge he developed a desire for philosophy and science. He also came to the conclusion that the scientific methods used, at that time, were not very reliable and were unscientific, which gave flawed results. He was at Cambridge for three years with his brother Anthony. In 1576 Francis and Anthony entered Grays Inn (a law institute) and a few months later they traveled abroad with the English ambassador at Paris, Sir Amias Paulet. This gave them much political experience. In 1579 Bacon had to return to England when

their father died. This left him nearly penniless, being the youngest son. One of the books Francis Bacon wrote was Essays which was published in 1597. Each essay is a short work in which he tried to teach a lesson by discussing both sides of a subject. At age 23 he was elected to parliament where his advancement was slow. He tried for high positions but was disappointed with failure until James I became King of England in 1603. During this time Bacon married Alice Barnham. We know little if their life together, only that he disinherited her in his last will. Some people believe Bacons emotional interests were not satisfied with his wife. Francis mother wrote a letter to her other son Anthony saying that Francis kept a man named Percy as a coach companion and bed companion. Francis Bacon enjoyed young Welsh serving-men. One man, Francis Edney, received 200 pounds in Bacons will. Under James rule Bacon swiftly climbed the stairs of success. He was knighted in 1603. In 1617 he was made Lord Keeper of the

Great Seal. In 1618 he was honored with the position of Lord High Chancellor. Bacon also received the titles Baron Verulam and Viscount St. Albans. Bacons status and power didnt last. In 1621 he was accused of taking bribes. After admitting his guilt, he was fined and sent to prison for a few days. Afterward, he was not allowed to have a government job (Drury, 308). The last five years of Bacons life was spent writing books. He wrote History of the Reign of King Henry VII, which is the first English book that tells about the Kings personal life and not just the court life. He also wrote The New Atlantis. It is a book describing an imagery perfect country. Some of the books he wrote about science include The Advancement of Learning and Novum Organum. Bacon explains how scientists should study things as they exist in nature and then try to find what caused a thing to be. Then, by experimenting, the scientists could try to figure out what caused a particular result. Now this

reasoning is called inductive reasoning and is now used by all scientists, but it was new in Bacons time. Bacons own experiment led to his death. He was trying to see if packing snow in a dead chicken could prevent it from decaying. When he was working outdoors he caught a cold which turned into pneumonia and killed him. He died with assets of about 7,000 pounds and in debt of 22,000. Bacon was one of the most brilliant people to live. He wrote several scientific books and founded the scientific method. Of all the billions of people to have walked this planet you only remember a few of their names; Sir Francis Bacon is a name you remember.

BIBLIOGRAPHY Francis Bacon, Britannica Junior Encyclopedia. 1992 Francis Bacon New Age Encyclopedia. 1993 Francis Bacon (philosopher), Microsoft Student 2006 [DVD]. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation, 2005. Francis Bacon Wikipedia the Free Encyclopedia 20 April 2006 <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Bacon> Scientific Method, Microsoft Student 2006 [DVD]. Redmond, WA: Microsoft Corporation, 2005