Essays of Bacon (World Classics)

Author: (English) Francis Bacon, Translated by Cao Minglun
Publisher:
Publication Date: 2002-01-01
Features: Francis Bacon's life was one of pursuing knowledge, as well as one of pursuing power. As a philosopher, writer, judge, and politician rolled into one, his thoughts were complex and ever-changing. From this slim collection of essays, we can discern various layers of meaning—it can be read as a textbook for navigating life and relationships, or as a guide to the intrigues of the political world. From essays like "On Truth," "On Death," and "On Human Nature," we see a Bacon who was deeply passionate about philosophy. From pieces such as "On High Officials," "On Sovereignty," and "On Ambition," we see a Bacon who was avidly political and well-versed in the machinations of the court. From "On Love," "On Friendship," and "On Marriage and Celibacy," we see a Bacon with a rich appreciation for life. From "On Adversity," "On Fortune," and "On Disability," we see a Bacon who never yielded to setbacks. From "On Deceit and Concealment" and "On Conversation," we see a Bacon who was shrewd and worldly-wise.
Author Bio: Francis Bacon was an outstanding British philosopher and writer. Born on January 22, 1561, in London to a bureaucratic family, he entered Trinity College, Cambridge, at the age of 12. At 15, he accompanied the British ambassador to France. After his father's death in 1579, he returned to England and enrolled at Gray's Inn to study law, earning his lawyer's qualification in 1582 and embarking on a vast academic journey and a challenging career in public service. During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, Bacon faced repeated setbacks in his career. It was not until King James I ascended the throne in 1603 that he began to rise in prominence. In 1603, he was knighted, appointed royal legal advisor in 1604, served as an assistant attorney general in 1607, became attorney general in 1613, and rose to become the Lord Keeper of the Seal in 1617. In 1618, he was appointed Lord Chancellor and ennobled as a baron. In 1620, he was further ennobled as a viscount. In 1621, while serving as Lord Chancellor, Bacon was accused of corruption and pleaded guilty, retiring from public life. He devoted himself to writing at home until, in 1626, he fell ill during a scientific experiment involving freezing preservation and died in April of the same year.