Locke: A Biography [Hardcover]

Roger Woolhouse (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 8, 2007

This is the first comprehensive biography in half a century of John Locke -“a man of versatile mind, fitted for whatever you shall undertake”, as one of his many good friends very aptly described him. Against an exciting historical background of the English Civil War, religious intolerance and bigotry, anti-Government struggles and plots, and the Glorious Revolution of 1688, Roger Woolhouse interweaves the events of Locke's rather varied life with detailed expositions of his developing ideas in medicine, theory of knowledge, philosophy of science, political philosophy, philosophy of religion, and economics. Chronologically systematic in its coverage, this volume offers an account and explanation of Locke's ideas and their reception, while entering at large into the details of his private life of intimate friendships and warm companionship, and of the increasingly visible public life into which, despite himself, he was drawn - Oxford tutor, associate of Shaftesbury, dutiful civil servant. Based on broad research and many years' study of Locke's philosophy, this will be the authoritative biography for years to come of this truly versatile man whose long-standing desire was for quiet residence in his Oxford college engaged in the study and practise of medicine and natural philosophy, yet who, after years in political exile, finally became an over-worked but influential public servant and who is seen now as one of the most significant early modern philosophers. Roger Woolhouse is Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at the University of York. He is the author of many journal articles and books on early modern philosophy, including The Empiricists, Descartes, Spinoza, Leibniz, and, with R.Francks, Leibniz's “New System”.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Germinal to Enlightenment liberalism and religious tolerance, political philosopher John Locke (1632-1704) profoundly influenced the idea makers of the American Revolution; consequently, Locke is still read in college courses. In chronicling Locke, British scholar Woolhouse combines analysis of his principal philosophical writings with a narrative built on Locke's exhaustive record keeping. Mercifully minimal in quoting from financial accounts and weather observations, Woolhouse expands more on Locke's letters arising from interpersonal relationships, such as a diffidently pursued courtship, and his experience of the real politics of his time. A supporter of the Whig opposition to the restored Stuarts, Locke fled England for the Dutch provinces, where he polished his major works. Returning from exile after James II's overthrow in 1688, Locke was finally free to publish the works that have engraved his name. Woolhouse's portrait supersedes the 1957 definitive biography by mining a multivolume collection of Locke's correspondence published since then, providing this opportunity for active philosophy collections to freshen their Locke section. Gilbert Taylor
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

"Woolhouse weaves compelling critical readings of Locke's works into events in Locke's life that prompted them, also showing the extent to which many of Locke's key ideas emerged early in his life. Woolhouse combines engaging writing with lucid insights into Locke's times to create not only an elegant critical biography but also a first-rate social history."
-Library Journal


"Woolhouse's portrait supersedes the 1957 definitive biography by mining a multivolume collection of Locke's correspondence published since then, providing this opportunity for active philosophy collections to freshen their Locke section."
-Booklist


"Woolhouse has produced a fascinating portrait of Locke which will be required reading for all those interested in Locke the philosopher and Locke the man, for many
-Chris R. Kyle, Renaissance Quarterly


"Relying on Locke's correspondence, manuscripts, and mostly unpublished journals, Woolhouse pieces together a detailed quilt that exhibits the tremendous variety of Locke's interests and activities...(a) judicious and engaging biography."
-Michael Losonsky, Journal of the History of Philosophy


"Rodger Woolhouse has written a fine new comprehensive biography of John Locke.[...]This is a fine addition to the scholarship on Locke and will serve as a very useful account of his life and a good introduction to his thought."
-John Marshall, Johns Hopkins University, American Historical Review


"Woolhouse has hit the mark in producing a biography which is useful and accessible... This deserves to become a standard reference text."
-Metapsychology Online Reviews

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 558 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 1 edition (January 8, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521817862
• ISBN-13: 978-0521817868
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.3 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,114,004 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a fascinating life, May 15, 2009

By 

Norm DePlume - See all my reviews

This review is from: Locke: A Biography (Hardcover)

John Locke's political philosophy resides in a strain that was ultimately to run through the thinking of the Founding Fathers of the American Revolution. His life is therefore at least as interesting as that of any 17th century man. Besides his intellectual contributions, Locke lived in interesting times, in youth through the English Civil War and in his age through the Glorious Revolution that presaged America's revolution.
Woolhouse is a fine writer with depth of understanding of the period and of the copious primary sources (that include some of Locke's records of incidental expenses and even his laundry lists). He writes clearly about the development of the ideas in Locke's principal treatises, and provides a thorough description of his activities, almost month-to-month. This latter attribute of the work prompts me to knock a star from the rating to warn prospective readers that they may be in for a more detailed biography than they really want. For me slogging through a bit of detail is worth the effort to arrive at a clear picture of Locke, his influences and the era in which he lived.

9 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well Balanced, August 31, 2007

By 

Ian Mackechnie - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Locke: A Biography (Hardcover)

This is a fascinating biography of the great Locke. It is well balanced in details of both the life and movements of Locke, as well as providing some concise discussion on his various works.

I was left the thought as to just how Locke's works may have developed if he, like all in his age, did not have the threat of religious politics breathing down his neck. I tend to believe he would have been a lot closer to Hume if he had both lived in Hume's age and had Hume courage ( and lack of political ambition!)

A great biography that almost demands to be finished in one sitting.