Sir Francis Bacon

Francis Bacon, 1st Viscount St Alban (1561–1626), was an English philosopher and statesman who served as Attorney General and Lord Chancellor of England under King James I. Bacon argued for the importance of natural philosophy, guided by the scientific method, and his works remained influential throughout the Scientific Revolution. He is called the father of empiricism, advocating for scientific knowledge based on inductive reasoning and careful observation of nature. Bacon believed science could be achieved through a sceptical and methodical approach, aiming to avoid self-deception. Though his specific proposals for a method, the Baconian method, did not endure, his emphasis on a sceptical methodology made him a founder of the scientific method. He promoted scientific experimentation as a way to glorify God and fulfill scripture. Bacon patronized libraries and devised a system for cataloging books into history, poetry, and philosophy. A fringe theory, the Baconian theory of Shakespeare authorship, suggests he wrote plays attributed to William Shakespeare. Bacon was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, and Gray's Inn. He was knighted in 1603 and created Baron Verulam in 1618, and Viscount St Alban in 1621. He died in 1626 and is buried at St Michael's Church, St Albans. His public career ended in disgrace in 1621 when he was accused of corruption, though he maintained his judgements were not influenced by gifts. He devoted his later years to study and writing.