The Major Works

Front Cover
Oxford University Press, 2002 - 813 pages
This authoritative edition was originally published in the acclaimed Oxford Authors series under the general editorship of Frank Kermode. It brings together an extensive collection of Bacon's writing - the major prose in full, together with sixteen other pieces not otherwise available - togive the essence of his work and thinking.Although he had a distinguished career as a lawyer and statesman, Francis Bacon's lifelong goal was to improve and extend human knowledge. In The Advancement of Learning (1605) he made a brilliant critique of the deficiencies of previous systems of thought and proposed improvements to knowledge inevery area of human life. He conceived the Essays (1597, much enlarged in 1625) as a study of the formative influences on human behaviour, psychological and social. In The New Atlantis (1626) he outlined his plan for a scientific research institute in the form of a Utopian fable. In addition tothese major English works this edition includes 'Of Tribute', an important early work here printed complete for the first time, and a revealing selection of his legal and political writings, together with his poetry. A special feature of the edition is its extensive annotation which identifies Bacon's sources and allusions, and glosses his vocabulary.
 

Contents

Introduction
xv
Chronology
xlv
An Advertisement touching the Controversies of the Church
1
Letter to Lord Burghley
20
A Device for the Grays Inn Revels
52
Of Love and SelfLove
61
Advice to the Earl of Rutland on his travels
69
Essays 1597 Religious Meditations Of the Colours of Good
81
Of the True Greatness of Kingdoms and Estates
397
Of Regiment of Health
403
Of Suspicion
405
Of Discourse
406
Of Plantations
407
Of Riches
409
Of Prophecies
412
Of Ambition
414

Advice to Fulke Greville on his studies
102
Two Prayers
113
The Advancement of Learning
120
Essays 1612
300
The Charge against Somerset for poisoning Overbury
314
Letter to King James I March 1621
326
Poems and Psalms
332
Essays or Counsels Civil and Moral 1625
341
Of Simulation and Dissimulation
349
Of Parents and Children
351
Of Marriage and Single Life
353
Of Envy
354
Of Love
357
Of Great Place
359
Of Boldness
361
Of Goodness and Goodness of Nature
363
Of Nobility
364
Of Seditions and Troubles
366
Of Atheism
371
Of Superstition
373
Of Travel
374
Of Empire
376
Of Counsel
379
Of Delays
383
Of Wisdom for a Mans Self
386
Of Innovations
387
Of Dispatch
388
Of Seeming Wise
389
Of Friendship
390
Of Expense
396
Of Masques and Triumphs
416
Of Nature in Men
417
Of Custom and Education
418
Of Fortune
420
Of Usury
421
Of Youth and Age
424
Of Beauty
425
Of Deformity
426
Of Building
427
Of Gardens
430
Of Negotiating
435
Of Followers and Friends
436
Of Suitors
437
Of Studies
439
Of Faction
440
Of Ceremonies and Respects
441
Of Praise
442
Of VainGlory
443
Of Honour and Reputation
445
Of Judicature
446
Of Anger
449
Of Vicissitude of Things
451
A Fragment of an Essay on Fame
454
New Atlantis
457
Abbreviations
491
Notes
493
Further Reading
803
Index
809
Copyright

Common terms and phrases

References to this book

About the author (2002)

Francis Bacon was born on January 22, 1561 in London. After studying at Cambridge, Bacon began a legal career, ultimately becoming a barrister in 1582. Bacon continued his political ascent, and became a Member of Parliament in 1584. In 1600, he served as Queen Elizabeth's Learned Counsel in the trial of Robert Devereaux, the Earl of Essex. After numerous appointments under James I, Bacon admitted to bribery and fell from power. Much of Bacon's fame stems from the belief by some that he was the actual author of the plays of William Shakespeare. While many critics dismissed that belief, Bacon did write several important works, including a digest of laws, a history of Great Britain, and biographies of the Tudor monarchy, including Henry VII. Bacon was also interested in science and the natural world. His scientific theories are recorded in Novum Organum, published in 1620. Bacon's interest in science ultimately led to his death. After stuffing a fowl with snow to study the effect of cold on the decay of meat, he fell ill, and died of bronchitis on April 9, 1626.

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