Bacon

Largely renowned as the father of empiricism, Francis Bacon was a hugely influential scientist, philosopher, and statesman who served as Attorney General, the Lord Chancellor of England, and legal adviser to Queen Elizabeth I. His endorsement of methodical observation and reasoning to deduce scientific truths made him a prominent figure in the scientific revolution. Bacon is also considered by many to be the author of most, if not all, plays attributed to William Shakespeare. Suffice to say, Bacon’s life and times consist of the sort of raw material that most biographers can simply dream about.

Published in 1884, Richard William Church’s account of the great man throws new light on the subject and is a fine introduction to a gifted individual who achieved an incredible amount before his death from pneumonia at the age of 65. The book captures the feel of the Elizabethan England in which Bacon lived. The author’s admiration of Bacon is tangible and argues the point that Bacon was a selfless individual who spent every day tirelessly pursuing that which would elevate and enlighten the human race. Readers both familiar and unfamiliar with Francis Bacon will find much to enjoy within these pages.