John Locke Birthday (Date, Age, How Old)
Last Updated: December 3, 2024
Fast Facts
Full 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
Background
Prominent English philosopher and physician John Locke is considered one of the most influential thinkers of the Enlightenment. Born on August 29, 1632, in Somerset, England, he was the son of John Locke, a lawyer and cavalry captain, and Agnes Keene. He had one younger brother, Thomas. His mother passed away when he was very young and he and his brother were raised by their father in Penston. Due to his frail health, Locke was homeschooled till the age of 14, after which he attended the Westminster School in London. After completing his schooling, he enrolled at Oxford University in 1652, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1656 and a master’s degree in 1658. While at Oxford, he developed an interest in medicine, and in 1667, still looking for a career, he moved to London and resumed his medical studies under Thomas Sydenham, a prominent English surgeon.
Locke marked the beginning of his career in 1665 when was appointed as a Secretary to the English ambassador to the Brandenburg Court. Then, in 1668, he became a member of the Royal Society. During this time, he was appointed the secretary of the Board of Trade and Plantations and later, also served as the secretary to the Lords Proprietors of Carolina, learning the ropes of international trade and economics. In 1672, he became involved in politics under the influence of Lord Ashley Cooper, who would also serve as his mentor. In 1975, following the denunciation of Ashley by King Charles II, Locke moved to France and went on to earn a bachelor of medicine in 1675. He returned to England in 1679 and set about working on the “Two Treatises of Government,” considered a seminal work of political thought against absolute monarchy and individual consent as the foundation of political legitimacy. In 1683, he was suspected of involvement in a plan to assassinate King Charles II and fled to The Netherlands. While in The Netherlands, he began working on “An Essay Concerning
Although Locke’s philosophy and thoughts did not gain much attention during his lifetime, his works gained prominence in the 1700s, especially in America, with “Second Treatise of Government” being cited in the American resistance to British taxation. Locke’s influence on political philosophy and modern liberalism is notable, as he influenced figures like Thomas Jefferson and the Founding Fathers of the U.S. His impact extended to epistemology through concepts like Tabula Rasa, which proposes that the mind is a blank slate at birth. Furthermore, Locke’s contributions to modern psychology and political theory, particularly regarding social contract and natural rights, solidify his place as one of the most influential thinkers of his era, earning him the title “Father of Liberalism.”
Locke earns a degree in medicine due to his lifelong interest in the field and his tutelage under Thomas Sydneyham.
Working on what is considered one of his most significant philosophical works, Locke initiates the writing of “Two Treatises of Government” upon his return from France.
In suspicion of involvement in a plot to assassinate King Charles II, Locke flees England and seeks refuge in the Netherlands.
Upon his return to England, Locke’s notable works including “An Essay Concerning Human Understanding,” “Two Treatises of Government,” and “A Letter Concerning Toleration” are quickly published.
Being appointed as one of the initial Commissioners of the English Board of Trade marked a significant moment for Locke.
