John Locke Biography: John Locke, an English philosopher and physician also known as the Father of Liberalism, was born on August 29, 1632, and is regarded as one of the most influential philosophers of the Age of Enlightenment. His work influenced the development of political philosophy and epistemology, as well as the theory of the social contract, economics, and the human psyche. During his lifetime, he authored numerous treatises on significant topics that are still studied today. Celebrate the birthday of this renowned philosopher with some life lessons and tidbits presented here.
John Locke Birthday
John Locke, an eminent English philosopher and physician, is regarded as one of the most influential Enlightenment intellectuals. He was born in Somerset, England, on August 29, 1632, to John Locke, a lawyer and cavalry commander, and Agnes Keene. Thomas was his only younger sibling. His mother died when he was very small, and his father raised him and his brother in Penston. Locke was homeschooled until the age of 14, after which he attended Westminster School in London due to his fragile health. In 1652, he matriculated at Oxford University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1656 and a master’s degree in 1658. During his time at Oxford, he developed an interest in medicine. In 1667, he moved to London and resumed his medical studies under the guidance of Thomas Sydenham, a prominent English surgeon.
In 1665, Locke began his professional life when he was appointed Secretary to the English ambassador to the Brandenburg Court. The following year, in 1668, he joined the Royal Society. During this time, he was designated secretary of the Board of Trade and Plantations and, later, secretary to the Lords Proprietors of Carolina, where he learned the ropes of international trade and economics. Lord Ashley Cooper, who would also serve as his mentor, influenced him to engage in politics in 1672. Following King Charles II’s condemnation of Ashley in 1675, Locke relocated to France and earned his medical degree in 1675. In 1679, he returned to England and began writing “Two Treatises of Government,” which is regarded as a seminal work of political theory against absolute monarchy and individual consent as the basis of political legitimacy. In 1683, he retreated to the Netherlands after being suspected of involvement in a plot to assassinate King Charles II. While in the Netherlands, he began writing “An Essay Concerning Human Understanding” and “A Letter Concerning Tolerance.” Mary II and he returned to England in 1688 following the Glorious Revolution. In 1689, “An Essay Concerning Human Understanding,” “Two Treatises of Government,” and “A Letter Concerning Toleration” were published following his return. In 1691, following a significant decline in his health, he moved in with his close friend Lady Masham, an English writer and philosopher, and her spouse Sir Francis Masham. In 1696, he was appointed one of the first Commissioners to the English Board of Trade, a position he held until 1970, when ill health forced him to step down. He died at their residence on 28 October 1704 and was interred in Essex, England.
Locke’s philosophy and ideas received little attention during his lifetime. In the 1700s, his work came to be cited in America, with “Second Treatise of Government” cited as part of the American resistance to the British taxation system. Locke is also well-known for his influence on political philosophy and modern liberalism, which influenced Founding Fathers such as Thomas Jefferson and others. Locke also had a significant impact on epistemology, redefining subjectivity and proposing the Tabula Rasa philosophy, or the theory that the mind is a blank slate at birth. He also had an impact on contemporary psychology and political theory, the latter through his theory of the social contract and the natural right to life, liberty, and property. His works and philosophical ideas made him one of the most influential thinkers of his time, and as a result he is known as the Father of Liberalism.
John Locke Net Worth, Height
| Name | John Locke |
| Nickname | Father of Liberalism |
| Birth date | August 29, 1632 |
| Death date | October 28, 2022 (age 390) |
| Height | 5′ 8″ |
| Net Worth | $1.5 million |
John Locke Biography: 5 SURPRISE FACTS
Locke was forced to leave his nation twice, in 1675 and 1683, as a result of his participation in activities deemed treasonous.
Locke, who was only 31 years old when his sibling passed away in 1663, was orphaned after the deaths of his parents and brother.
Locke never married and had no offspring during his lifetime.
Locke was one of the influences on the architects of the American Declaration of Independence.
Having studied medicine, Locke served as Lord Anthony Ashley Cooper, Earl of Shaftesbury’s personal physician.
