John Locke: Samuel

  • Birth

    John Locke was born in 1632 in England
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    Becomes Professor

    After studying philosophy, medicine, law, and mathematics and graduating with multiple degrees Locke becomes a very important professor at Oxford College
  • Reads Rene Descartes' work

    Locke reads Rene Descartes' Discourse on the Method and likes what he reads. This work includes the famous quote "I think, therefore I am"
  • Locke meets Lord Ashley

    Anthony Ashley Cooper "Lord Ashley" who is an important British politician meets and befriends Locke
  • Supervises liver operation

    Locke who is now Lord Ashley's personal physician supervises a liver operation that saves Lord Ashley's life and remarkably he lives another 15 years
  • Locke is asked to write

    Because of Lord Ashley's involvement in the new British colonies in America Locke is asked to write the Fundamental Constitution of Carolina
  • First Draft

    Locke writes his first draft of the Essay Concerning Human Understanding, in it are ideas on Natural Law; based partially on the writings of others
  • Period: to

    Promotes Social Contract

    Locke's begins to write and promote the idea of a Social Contract, he may not be the first with the idea but his social status will make the idea popular
  • Locke flees

    Locke's ideas about revolution against a government are linked to a plot to kill the king. Locke flees to Holland, many that agreed with him and Lord Ashley are arrested for treason and some are killed
  • Locke welcomed

    England's Glorious Revolution; Locke is welcomed by the new king and returns to England
  • Locke publishes essay

    Essay Concerning Human Understanding by John Locke is published
  • Locke meets SIr Isaac Newton

    Locke meets Sir Isaac Newton and they become friends
  • John Locke publishes document

    Two Treatises of Civil Government by John Locke is published
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    Appointed to board

    Locke is appointed to the British Board of Trade and even though his health is failing he is its most influential member
  • Death

    John Locke dies in 1704 at 91
  • Thomas Jefferson's ideas

    Thomas Jefferson borrows from John Locke ideas to write the Declaration of independence