Francis Bacon, Viscount Saint Alban
also called (1603–18) Sir Francis Bacon
died April 9, 1626, London
Francis Bacon, oil painting by an unknown artist; in the National Portrait Gallery, London.
Courtesy of the National Portrait Gallery, London
lord chancellor of England (1618–21). A lawyer, statesman, philosopher, and master of the English tongue, he is remembered in literary terms for the sharp worldly wisdom of a few dozen essays; by students of constitutional history for his power as a speaker in Parliament and in famous trials and as James I's lord chancellor; and intellectually as a man who claimed all knowledge as his province and, after a magisterial survey, urgently advocated new ways by which man might establish a legitimate command over nature for the relief of his estate.
Contents of this article:
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·Introduction
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·Life
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·Thought and writings
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·Major Works
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·Additional Reading
