-
Birth
John Locke is born in England -
Period: to
Professor at Oxford
After studying philosophy, medicine, law, and mathematics and graduating with multiple degrees Locke becomes a very important professor at Oxford College -
"I think, therefore I am."
Locke reads Rene Descartes' Discourse on the Method and likes what he reads. This work includes the famous quote "I think, therefore I am" -
Befriend
Anthony Ashley Cooper "Lord Ashley" who is an important British politician meets and befriends Locke -
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 -
Fundamental Constitution of Carolina
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
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 -
Plot to Kill
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 -
Welcoming
England's Glorious Revolution; Locke is welcomed by the new king and returns to England -
Publishing
Essay Concerning Human Understanding by John Locke is published -
Sir Isaac Newton
Locke meets Sir Isaac Newton and they become friends -
Two Treaties of Civil Government
Two Treatises of Civil Government by John Locke is published -
Period: to
Brititsh Board of Trade
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 -
Locke's Ideas
Thomas Jefferson borrows from Locke's ideas to write the Declaration of Independence