John Locke Biography

John Locke was born on August 29, 1632, in Wrington, Somerset, England, to Puritan parents. His father, also called John Locke was a country lawyer and a small landowner who had served as a captain of cavalry for the Parliamentarian forces during the English Civil War. His mother’s name was Agnes Keene.

He received his bachelor’s degree in 1656, and a master's degree in 1658. He also studied medicine extensively and worked with noted physicians and thinkers like Robert Boyle, Thomas Willis, Robert Hooke and Richard Lower.

He resumed his medical studies under the prominent physician Thomas Sydenham who proved to be a great influence on young Locke. He was then elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 1668, and graduated with a bachelor's of medicine in 1674.

During the early 1670s, he became active in politics and served as Secretary of the Board of Trade and Plantations and Secretary to the Lords Proprietor of Carolina.

Locke travelled to France during the mid-1670s, and returned to England by 1679. He wrote extensively during his years of service to Lord Cooper. At around this time he started composing what would eventually form the bulk of the ‘Two Treatises of Government’ which would be published years later.

The early 1680s, was a period of great political turmoil in England and Locke was forced to leave the country under strong suspicion of his involvement in the Rye House Plot. However, there is little historical evidence to prove that he was directly involved.

He fled to the Netherlands in 1683, and wrote extensively over the next few years. He eventually returned to England and began publishing the works he had painstakingly composed in the past years.

The year 1690, saw the publication of his work ‘An Essay Concerning Human Understanding’ in which he described the mind at birth as a blank slate which is later filled with experience. This work is considered a principal source of empiricism in modern philosophy. Several enlightenment philosophers such as David Hume and George Berkeley cited it as a source of inspiration.

He died on October 28, 1704, and was buried in the churchyard of the village of High Laver.

John Locke had a keen interest in medicine and served as a personal physician to his friend, Lord Ashley.

Locke is renowned for his advocacy of religious tolerance and his belief in the separation of church and state, which were groundbreaking ideas during his time.

He was an avid gardener and spent a significant amount of time cultivating his garden, which he considered a peaceful retreat for contemplation and relaxation.

Locke was known for his love of books and amassed an extensive personal library, reflecting his intellectual curiosity and passion for learning.