Francis Bacon Becomes a Knight
Under The Yoke of Queen Elizabeth and James I
The life, times and personal triumphs of one of the world's most brilliant philosophers and statesmen.
English Statesmen
Early Years
Francis Bacon was born at York House Strand, London on January 22, 1561. He was the youngest of five sons of Sir Nicholas Bacon, Lord Keeper of The Great Seal under Queen Elizabeth I and Ann Cooke Bacon. As a child, Sir Francis Bacon was of frail health, and for this reason he received his primary education at home. He entered Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1573 at the age of 12, living there with his older brother, Anthony. There he met the Queen, who was so impressed with his brilliance that she dubbed him "the young Lord Keeper." At Cambridge, Sir Francis Bacon's scientific studies brought him to a conflict with his love of Aristotle and his dislike of Aristotelian philosophy, which he felt was wrong in its objectives.
The sudden death of his father in February of 1579 before he could purchase a planned estate for his youngest son, left Sir Francis Bacon with insufficient funds, and to support himself, he took up residence at Gray's Inn. There he established his goals: discovery of truth, service to his country and service to his church. In 1580, Sir Francis Bacon applied through his uncle, Lord Burghley, for a court post, which would enable him to devote himself to a life of learning.
Parliamentary Years
In 1584, Sir Francis Bacon took his seat in parliament and set down his thoughts on philosophical reform in "Temporis Partus Maximus". In 1586, he urged the execution of a "http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09764a.htm" Mary Queen of Scots. In 1591, Sir Francis Bacon became the confidential advisor of Robert Devereux, the 2nd Earl of Sussex, who was a favorite of Queen Elizabeth. Despite several royal appointments, his financial situation remained bad for the next few years, and in 1598 Sir Francis Bacon was arrested for debt. Becoming a favorite in the eyes of the Queen, he severed ties with the Earl when she appointed him to investigate the charges of treason brought against him for which he would be executed in 1601. Sir Francis Bacon tried to justify the betrayal of his former friend and benefactor in his "Declaration of The Practices and Treasons of...the Earl of Sussex."
Knighthood and Marriage
In 1603, with the accession of King James I Sir Francis Bacon was knighted. He married Alice Barnham, the daughter of a well-connected London alderman. Little is known of their married life except that in his final will he disinherited her from his estate. Much historical evidence suggests that Francis Bacon's sexual interests lay elsewhere, in the realm of the forbidden.
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