BACON, FRANCIS, VISCOUNT SAINT ALBAN (OR ALBANS), ...

born Jan. 22, 1561, York House, London, Eng. died April 9, 1626, London Francis Bacon, engraving by William Marshall, 1640 also called (160318) Sir Francis Bacon lord chancellor of England (161821). A lawyer, statesman, philosopher, and master of the English tongue, he is remembered in literary terms for the sharp worldly wisdom of a few dozen essays; by students of constitutional history for his power as a speaker in Parliament and in famous trials and as James I's lord chancellor; and intellectually as a man who claimed all knowledge as his province and, after a magisterial survey, urgently advocated new ways by which man might establish a legitimate command over nature for the relief of his estate. born Jan. 22, 1561, York House, London, Eng. died April 9, 1626, London , also called (160318) Sir Francis Bacon lord chancellor of England (161821), philosopher, and man of letters whose Essays and other writings mark him as a master of English prose. A treatment of Francis Bacon follows. For full treatment, see Bacon, Francis. Bacon attended Trinity College, Cambridge, and then went to Paris (1576). Recalled abruptly after the death of his father (1579), he took up residence at Gray's Inn, an institution for legal education, and became a barrister in 1582. He progressed through several legal positions, becoming a member of Parliament in 1584, but had little success in gaining political power. About 1591 Robert Devereux, 2nd earl of Essex and a favourite of Queen Elizabeth, became his patron. By 1600, however, Bacon was the queen's learned counsel in the trial of Essex, and in 1601 he drew up a report denouncing Essex as a traitor. With the accession of James I in 1603, Bacon sought anew to gain influence by means of unsparing service in Parliament, persistent letters of self-recommendation, and the help of important associates. He was engaged in a series of conflicts with Sir Edward Coke, the great jurist, in an effort to safeguard the royal prerogative. After a succession of legal posts, he was appointed lord chancellor and Baron Verulam in 1618; in 1620/21 he was created Viscount St. Albans. Between 1608 and 1620 he prepared at least 12 draftings of his most celebrated work, the Novum Organum, in which he presented his scientific method; he developed his Instauratio Magna, a plan to reorganize the sciences; and he wrote several minor philosophical works. Bacon fell from power in 1621 following his being charged with bribery. He spent his final years writing what are considered some of his most valuable works.