John Locke

Philosopher

Birthday August 29, 1632

Birth Sign Virgo

Birthplace Wrington, England

DEATH DATE Oct 28, 1704 (72)

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About

English philosopher and doctor commonly referred to as "The Father of Liberalism." He was one of the Enlightenment Age's most influential thinkers. His ideas heavily influenced the writing of the Declaration of Independence.

Before Fame

He earned a medicine degree from Oxford in 1674.

Trivia

He had influential theories on limited government, right to property, and the social contract. His theory of mind led to modern understandings of identity and the self and influenced Kant, Hume, and Rousseau.

Family Life

He grew up with one brother named Thomas. His father was a country lawyer and clerk for the Chew Magna Justices of the Peace. He was raised in a Puritan household.

Associated With

He and Sir Francis Bacon were among the first British empiricists and had a huge impact on social contract theory.