200px thomas hobbes (portrait)

Thomas Hobbes

  • Birth

    He was born in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, England.
  • Education

    Enters Magdalen Hall, Oxford where he studies scholastic philosophy with little enthusiasm but does well in logic.
  • Degrees

    Receives bachelor's degree and becomes tutor to the son of William Cavendish.
  • Publication

    Publication of his English translation of Thucydides through which he intended to show the English the dangers of democracy.
  • William Cavendish Death

    William Cavendish dies and Hobbes becomes tutor for the son of Sir Gervase Clinton.
  • Trip to Italy

    Travels to Italy where he meets with Galileo. He develops his social philosophy on principles of geometry and natural science.
  • Return to England

    Returns to England where the king and parliament are in a heated struggle.
  • Manuscripts

    Hobbes Circulates his manuscript Elements of Law
  • Last Publication Befor Death

    At the age of 86, publishes a translation of both the Iliad and the Odessey
  • Death

  • 2nd Publication

    Publication of De Cive and First Draught of 1646 the Optiques. Begins De Corpore, the first work in a trilogy on body, man and citizen.