John Locke

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Definition

John Locke (1632-1704) was an English philosopher responsible for laying the foundation of the European Enlightenment. Locke believed that each branch of government should have separate powers, that liberty must be protected from state interference, and that the state must protect the private property of its citizens. These ideas greatly influenced the Founding Fathers of the United States. Locke also proposed a new theory of knowledge acquisition based entirely on experience and reflection.

More about: John Locke

Timeline

  • 1632 - 1704
    Life of the English philosopher John Locke.
  • 29 Aug 1632
    John Locke is born in Wrington, in the county of Somerset, England.
  • 1663
    John Locke writes the constitution for the British colony of Carolina.
  • 1667
    John Locke becomes the personal physician and secretary to Anthony Ashley Cooper, Earl of Shaftesbury.
  • 1668
    John Locke becames a member of London's Royal Society.
  • 1675 - 1679
    John Locke spends time in France.
  • 1683 - 1689
    John Locke self-exiles in the Netherlands.
  • 1689
    John Locke publishes his Essay Concerning Human Understanding, Two Treatises on Government, and Letters on Toleration.
  • 1693
    John Locke publishes his Thoughts Concerning Education.
  • 1695
    John Locke publishes his The Reasonableness of Christianity.
  • 28 Oct 1704
    John Locke dies at Oates, Essex, England.
  • 1706
    John Locke's Of the Conduct of the Understanding is published.
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