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Jan 22, 1561
The Birth of Francis Bacon
Francis Bacon was born on January 22, 1561 in London, England. He was the son of Sir Nicholas Bacon who was keeper of the great seal for Queen Elizabeth I. Quinton, Baron, Quinton, Anthony M. “Francis Bacon.” Encyclopaedia Britannica, Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc., 2 Apr. 2018, www.britannica.com/biography/Francis-Bacon-Viscount-Saint-Alban. (Photo shows Plan of London 1560's) -
Period: Jan 22, 1561 to
The Life of Sir Francis Bacon
Bacon greatly contributed greatly to science and the scientific method with his challenge of traditionally held beliefs. Prior to Bacon, scientific truth was based on arguments, Bacon instead introduced a system in which theories were tested using a set method to prove or disprove their validity. He published ideas in his signature work, "Novum Organum," in 1620. https://www.biography.com/video/sir-francis-bacon-biography-video -
1573
Disdain for Aristotelian Philosophy Begins to Show while at University
From 1573 to 1575 Bacon attended Trinity College at Cambridge. There, he began challenging what he considered, "unfruitful," Aristotelian Philosophy, this would in turn influence his, "Novum Organum," and his Baconian Method he would develop later on. Quinton, Baron, Quinton, Anthony M. “Francis Bacon.” Encyclopaedia Britannica, Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc., 2 Apr. 2018, www.britannica.com/biography/Francis-Bacon-Viscount-Saint-Alban. -
Published First Work, "Essays"
Francis Bacon's first work, entitled "Essays," was a compilation of essays in ranging topics including his personal and private life. These essays were lauded as great works and were well received. He later released additional expanded editions in 1612 and 1625. -
Publishes Signature Work, "Novum Organum'
Explains Baconian Method, a set observation of facts in order to study natural phenomena. It differed greatly from standards of the day which he believed were fanciful opinions and instead relied on three steps which could be applied to any experiment of phenomena. “Baconian Method.” Edited by Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Encyclopaedia Britannica Inc., 20 June 1998, www.britannica.com/science/Baconian-method#ref12774 (Photo shows cover of, "Novum Organum." -
Final Work, "New Atlantis" Published
Published after his death, "New Atlantis," is a utopian novel authored by Francis Bacon. In it, he envisions a society where a very educated and scientific society flourishes. Though incomplete, many consider its impacts on science very great as it introduces science as a collaborative undertaking with benefits for all of mankind, a revolutionary idea at the time.
