The Influence of Francis Bacon

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All modern essay writing owes its beginnings to Sir Francis Bacon, who is also known as the father of the English essay. He created the formal essay using his own simple, yet complex style by proving a point. He was also the first writer to publish a collection of essays, which were so unique that its form became a genre in literature. Bacon’s influential works were vastly impacted by the tenets of the Renaissance period. Even Thomas Jefferson, one of the founding fathers of our nation, credited being influenced by Bacon’s essays (McDougal 454). Also titled “one of the three greatest men the world has ever known,” Francis Bacon wrote various prominent essays pertaining to philosophical research, natural science and social status (McDougal 454). Bacon significantly contributed to contemporary society by bringing about a lucid distinction between philosophy, science and religion. Ultimately, Bacon is a renowned Renaissance writer who introduced a new way of writing and thinking.
In 1597, Sir Francis Bacon made his first publication. He published a collection of essays (called Essayes: Religious Meditations. Places of Perswasion and Disswasion. Seene and Allowed) about politics, which was later expanded and republished in 1612 and 1625 (bio.com). His book contained the first examples of that literary form (essay) to gain popularity in England (McDougal 454). Inspired by the Renaissance notions of humanism, in 1605 Bacon published The Advancement of Learning attempting to rally supporters for the sciences. Also in 1609, he released his analysis of ancient mythology On the Wisdom of the Ancients (bio.com). Francis Bacon then went on to publishing a number of essays exhibiting his views on science, philosophy, politics, humanism, socia...

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