John Locke Timeline

By cmar
  • John Locke is born in England.

  • Period: to

    1632 - 1670

  • After studying philosophy, medicine, law, and mathematics and graduating with multiple degrees Locke becomes a very important professor at Oxford College

  • Locke reads Rene Descartes' Discourse on the Method and likes what he reads. This work includes the famous quote "I think, therefore I am"

  • Anthony Ashley Cooper "Lord Ashley" who is an important British politician meets and befriends Locke.

  • Locke who is now Lord Ashley's personal physician supervises a liver operation that saves Lord Ashley's life and remarkably he lives another 15 years.

  • Because of Lord Ashley's involvement in the new British colonies in America Locke is asked to write the Fundamental Constitution of Carolina.

  • Lockemn writes first draft of Essay Concerning Human Understanding.

    In the Essay Concerning Human Understanding are ideas of Natural Law; based partially on the writings of others.
  • Locke's begins to write and promote the idea of a Social Contract, he may not be the first with the idea but his social status will make the idea popular.

  • Locke's ideas about revolution against a government are linked to a plot to kill the king. Locke flees to Holland, many that agreed with him and Lord Ashley are arrested for treason and some are killed.

  • England's Glorious Revolution; Locke is welcomed by the new king and returns to England.

  • Locke meets Sir Isaac Newton and they become friends.

  • Two Treatsies of Civil Government Published.

  • Locke is appointed to the British Board of Trade and even though his health is failing he is its most influential .

  • John Locke died.

  • Thomas borrows John Locke's ideas to write Declaration of Independence.