Page 137 - DENG105_ELECTIVE_ENGLISH_II

Elective English–II

Notes 11.1 Life and Political Career

Sir Francis Bacon (later Lord Verulam, the Viscount St. Albans, and Lord Chancellor of England)
was born in London in 1561 to a prominent and well-connected family. His parents were Sir
Nicholas Bacon, the Lord Keeper of the Seal, and Lady Anne Cooke, daughter of Sir Anthony
Cooke, a knight and one-time tutor to the royal family. Lady Anne was a learned woman in
her own right, having acquired Greek and Latin as well as Italian and French. She was a sister-
in-law both to Sir Thomas Hoby, the esteemed English translator of Castiglione, and to Sir
William Cecil (later Lord Burghley), Lord Treasurer, chief counselor to Elizabeth I, and from
1572-1598 the most powerful man in England.
Bacon was educated at home at the family estate at Gorhambury in Herfordshire. In 1573, at
the age of just twelve, he entered Trinity College, Cambridge, where the stodgy Scholastic
curriculum triggered his lifelong opposition to Aristotelianism (though not to the works of
Aristotle himself).
In 1576 Bacon began reading law at Gray’s Inn. Yet only a year later he interrupted his studies
in order to take a position in the diplomatic service in France as an assistant to the ambassador.
In 1579, while he was still in France, his father died, leaving him (as the second son of a
second marriage and the youngest of six heirs) virtually without support. With no position,
no land, no income, and no immediate prospects, he returned to England and resumed the
study of law.
Bacon completed his law degree in 1582, and in 1588 he was named lecturer in legal studies
at Gray’s Inn. Meanwhile, he was elected to Parliament in 1584 as a member for Melcombe in
Dorsetshire. He would remain in Parliament as a representative for various constituencies for
the next 36 years.
In 1593 his blunt criticism of a new tax levy resulted in an unfortunate setback to his career
expectations, the Queen taking personal offense at his opposition. Any hopes he had of becoming
Attorney General or Solicitor General during her reign were dashed, though Elizabeth eventually
relented to the extent of appointing Bacon her Extraordinary Counsel in 1596.
It was around this time that Bacon entered the service of Robert Devereux, the Earl of Essex,
a dashing courtier, soldier, plotter of intrigue, and sometime favourite of the Queen. No doubt
Bacon viewed Essex as a rising star and a figure who could provide a much-needed boost to
his own sagging career. Unfortunately, it was not long before Essex’s own fortunes plummeted
following a series of military and political blunders culminating in a disastrous coup attempt.
When the coup plot failed, Devereux was arrested, tried, and eventually executed, with Bacon,
in his capacity as Queen’s Counsel, playing a vital role in the prosecution of the case.

In 1603, James I succeeded Elizabeth, and Bacon’s prospects for advancement dramatically
improved. After being knighted by the king, he swiftly ascended the ladder of state and from
1604-1618 filled a succession of high-profile advisory positions:
• 1604 – Appointed King’s Counsel.
• 1607 – Named Solicitor General.
• 1608 – Appointed Clerk of the Star Chamber.
• 1613 – Appointed Attorney General.

• 1616 – Made a member of the Privy Council.
• 1617 – Appointed Lord Keeper of the Royal Seal (his father’s former office).
• 1618 – Made Lord Chancellor.

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