-
Birth of John Locke
John Locke was born today, August 29,1632 in the midst of a thunderstorm. His mother, Agnes Keene gave birth to him in Wrington, in Somerset, England. His mother died during infancy leaving him and his brother Thomas, alone with their father John Locke the elder (www.notablebiographies.com). -
Early Life/Family
John Locke's father was a military man and country lawyer who also served as captain during the English Civil War. John Locke was raised as a Puritan because both of his parents were. He received an outstanding education due to his father's connections and allegiance to the English government. He enrolled at Westminster school in England. This is significant because I explains where he went to school and started studying different things. (www.biography.com) -
Education
John Locke learned the distinct honor of being named a King's scholar, a privilege that went to only a select number of boys and paved a way for Locke to attend the prestigious Christ Church, Oxford in 1652. He studied a few things there before graduating in 1656. This was significant because it was his education that inspired him to do the work that he did during his lifetime(www.biography.com) -
Graduation
At perhaps the most prestigious school in Oxford,Christ Church, John Locke immersed himself in logic and metaphysics, along with classical languages. He graduated in 1656,but remained to study medicine. Locke returned 2 years later which led to Locke taking on tutorial work at the college. He thought it was important to take great care in educating the young. This is significant because it describes what he studied during and after college,which affected his thoughts and ideas (www.iep.utm.edu). -
The English Monarchy is Restored Under King Charles II
In 1660 Parliament offered to restore the monarchy if Charles would agree to concessions for religious toleration and a general amnesty. Charles did agree to the proposals and returned to London on a mountain of popular support to be crowned Charles II. The Restoration was notable for the relaxation of the strict Puritan morality of the previous decades. This event was significant to the world's history because it ended 11 years of military rule (www.britainexpress.com). -
Navigation Act of 1663
Also known as "Act for the Encouragement of Trade" or the "Staple Act", it stated that Colonial exports (mainly American) had to be transported in English ships and that all Colonial imports had to first pass through English ports - whether the goods were for England or another country in Europe. The goods were then to be inspected and taxed. The purpose of this was to encourage British shipping and to allow Great Britain to retain most of the British colonial trade. (www.landofthebrave.info) -
The Dutch Surrender New Netherland
On September 8, 1664, the Dutch had surrendered the colony of New Netherland to the English, which they renamed New York. New Amsterdam passes to English control, and the English and Dutch settlers lived together peacefully. This is significant to the world because it was the founding of New York. -
King James II Flees to France
James II was the second surviving son of Charles I and younger brother of Charles II. After the defeat of the royalists, he fled to France. James served in the French army and later in the Spanish army. After the death of Cromwell and the restoration of the monarchy, he returned to England where his brother had been crowned Charles II. This is a significant world event because if he hadn't fled to France, things could have turned out different, and maybe ruled differently. (www.britroyals.com) -
Shaftesbury Leaves Office
Shaftesbury went out of office in 1673 and two years later Locke went to France in search of health. He supported himself by acting as a tutor of the son of Sir John Banks, and as a physician to the wife of the English Ambassador of Paris. He will later return in 1679. This event is significant because it explains what Locke did after Shaftesbury went out of office. (Eliot 3) -
Shaftesbury Gains Back Power
In 1679, with Shaftesbury being back in power, recalled Locke to England. He reluctantly obeyed, and remained in attendance on his patron, assisting him in political matters and superintending the education of his grandson, the future author of "Characteristics," till Shaftesbury's political fortunes finally collapsed, and both men took refuge in Holland. This is significant because it shows that he obeyed Shaftesbury, and what happened when they were both in power (Eliot 3). -
Foundation of Pennsylvania
King Charles II of England owed $80,000 to Admiral Sir William Penn. In 1681, as payment for the debt, the king granted what is today Pennsylvania to the admiral's son. Penn named the territory New Wales. The king changed it to Pennsylvania, in honor of the admiral. This is significant in the world because Pennsylvania was founded, and it is one of the 50 states, and if it wasn't founded, the land could've been founded into something else (US history 1). -
The Dutch Government
Locke's first two years in Holland were spent in interaction with scholars and traveling. But, in 1685 the Dutch Government was asked to deliver him up to the English as a traitor, and he was forced to go into hiding until there was a pardon granted by James II in 1686. Although there is no evidence of Locke being guilty of any crime beyond his friendship with Shaftesbury. This is significant because he was forced into hiding and to act like a traitor. (Eliot 4) -
John Locke Returns to England
During his exile, Locke had come into friendly relations with his future sovereigns, William and Mary. When the Revolution was over and accomplished, he came back to England with the Princess in 1689. His arrival back in his homeland had come in the aftermath of the dramatic departure of King James II, who fled the country. This is a very significant event because when he fled, things changed in his country, and then when he came back, things changed (Eliot 4). -
Publication of the "Essay Concerning Human Understanding"
It was not until the age of 44 that Locke began to publish the results of a lifetime of study and thought. The "Essay" comprises to an extremely long and detailed theory of knowledge. There were four books that made it up, including "Innate Ideas", "Theory of Knowledge", "Meanings of Words", and "Knowledge and Probability". Locke's four main characteristics of his theory of knowledge consist of empires, dualism, subjectivism, and skepticism. (www.cliffnotes.com) -
College of William and Mary is Founded
On February 8, 1693, King William III and Queen Mary II of England signed the charter for a "perpetual College of Divinity, Philosophy, Languages, and other good Arts and Sciences." to be founded in the Virginia Colony. William and Mary was born. (www.wm.edu) -
Death of John Locke
John Locke died in High Laver, United Kingdom at the age of 72. He still shocked many people by his Western thoughts after his death. His theories of religious freedom, liberty, and the separation of the Church and State influenced great European thinkers such as Voltaire, Alexander Hamilton, and Thomas Jefferson. This is significant because he was still important in influencing many other writers and philosophers. (www.bigraphy.com)
