Francis Bacon: History, Politics and Science, 1561-1626

Description

In the centuries since his death, Francis Bacon has been perceived as a promoter and prophet of 'natural science'. Certainly Bacon expected to fill the vacuum which he saw existing in the study of nature; but he also saw himself as a clarifier and promoter of what he called 'policy', that is, the study and improvement of the structure and function of civil states including the then new British state. In this major study, Brian Wormald's first since his work on Clarendon, Bacon is shown resolving this conflict by attending assiduously to both fields, arguing that work on one would help progress in the other. In his teaching, in his practice and in terms of what was actually achieved, the junction between the two enterprises was affected by Bacon's work in history - civil and natural. In this fundamental reappraisal of one of the most complex and innovative figures of the age, Brian Wormald reveals how Bacon's conception and practice of history provided an answer to his strivings in both policy and natural philosophy.

"Wormald provides important insights into Bacon's natural philosophy in the process of examining the similarities between his natural and civil philosophy programs." American Historical Review "...a fresh and methodical reading of the Baconian corpus that no future scholar will be able to ignore." Canadian Journal of history "To my mind, this rich, complex study repays the effort that must be expended on it...Wormald shows what a vast, and at the same time flawed, intellectual giant Bacon was." A. Rupert Hall, Nature "Wormald resists any fast flights to the easy, familiar generalizations about Bacon; rather throughout his study he remains centered in and on the texts of Bacon...To gain a formidable understanding of a past thinker, text and context must be brought together...to accomplish it with integrity and also advance our understanding is a test of any genujne, scholarly contribution...In opening a number of new vistas to Bacon, Wormald suceeds in this and to our benefit." Dominic J. Balestra, Sixteenth Century Journal "Wormald's reading of Bacon's philosophy, and especially of the importance of the historical component within it, is often rewarding." F.J. Levy, Albion "...this study represents a fresh look at Francis Bacon. Its argument possesses strength and persuasiveness based on a close examination of primary sources. It is a significant contribution." George Ouwendijk, Renaissance Quarterly