Person    | Male  Born 22/1/1561  Died 9/4/1626

Sir Francis Bacon

Categories: Philosophy

Born York House near Strand. Died in Highgate at Arundel House, the home of his friend, Thomas Howard, Lord Arundel. The site is now occupied by St. Michael's Church, South Grove. Travelling towards Highgate, he chose to make use of the snow on the ground to examine the effect of cold on the speed of decay of meat. His experiment involved stuffing a chicken with snow. Bacon caught a cold, and died of bronchitis. We have no news on the chicken. This standard account is recorded in John Aubrey’s Brief Lives c.1690. Trouble is, records show there was no snow on the ground that spring. An alternative account is given by Bacon himself. Prior to dying he wrote a letter (unfinished) to Arundel apologising for turning up without notice. He explains that he had been carrying out some experiments on himself in London and on the way home he had become violently sick. No unfortunate chicken involved in this version.

All that remains of Arundel House is The Old Hall in South Grove. Sadly there is no plaque there, but nearby Bacon Lane commemorates his death. Married in St Marylebone church in 1606.

The Essays: Instauratio Magna et Novum Organum, History of the Reign of Henry VII, De Dignitate et Aligmentis Scientiarum.

Student of Lincoln's Inn 1576
Barrister 1582
Reader 1588
Dean of Chapel 1589
MP for Middlesex 1593
Solicitor General 1607
Treasurer 1608 - 1617
Attorney General 1613
Lord Keeper 1617
Lord Chancellor 1618

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Sir Francis Bacon

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This section lists the memorials created by the subject on this page:
Sir Francis Bacon

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Montagu Sharpe

This memorial is a sundial in the shape of a armillary sphere - see Wolff for...

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St Stephen's School - Boys entrance

The two S's probably indicate 'St Stephen's'.

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Other Subjects

South Place Ethical Society / Conway Hall Ethical Society

South Place Ethical Society / Conway Hall Ethical Society

Possibly the oldest surviving free thought organisation in the world, and the only remaining Ethical society in the UK. Originated as a religious group, allied to the Baptists. By 1793 they had the...

Group, Community / Clubs, Philosophy, Religion

1 memorial
René Descartes

René Descartes

Philosopher, mathematician, and writer who spent most of his adult life in the Netherlands.

Person, Philosophy, Science, France, Netherlands

1 memorial
James Mill

James Mill

Political philosopher. Born at Northwater Bridge, Logie Pert, Forfarshire, Scotland. He was a founder of classical economics with David Ricardo. His 'History of British India' contains a complete d...

Person, Philosophy, Scotland

1 memorial
Bertrand Russell

Bertrand Russell

Philosopher, logician, essayist, social critic and campaigner for peace. Third Earl Russell. Born Ravenscroft, Trelleck, Monmouthshire. A bad start in life - his mother, sister and father all d...

Person, Peace, Philosophy, Seriously Famous, Wales

2 memorials
John Locke

John Locke

Philosopher. Born Somerset. Wrote 'An Essay Concerning Human Understanding' and 'Two Treatises of Government'.  1693 wrote 'Some Thoughts Concerning Education' saying  "I think I may say that of al...

Person, Education, Philosophy

3 memorials