Hobbes: life & times ~ slide 1

Hobbes: Life & times

TimesBorn under the

reign of Elizabeth I (reigned 1558-1603), the last of the Tudors

James I (reigned 1603-1625) - beginning of the Stuart dynasty

Life

Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679)

Entered Magdalen College, Oxford, at the age of 15. This College was a center of Puritanism.

Hobbes: life & times ~ slide 2

Hobbes: Life & times

After graduating, entered the service of William Cavendish, a rich landowner. Tutor & secretary.

Hobbes: life & times ~ slide 3

Hobbes: Life & times

1607 - Jamestown Colony

William Shakespeare (1564-1616)

Charles I becomes king (reigned, 1625-1649)

Galileo Galilei (1564-1642)

Toured the Continent with Cavendish. Absorbed Renaissance culture - translated classic Greek and Latin texts

During the 1630s, pursued scientific interests

Hobbes: life & times ~ slide 4

Hobbes: Life & times

1633 - trial and conviction of Galileo by the Roman Inquisition

On visit to London in 1634, purchased Galileo’s Dialogue on the Two Chief World Systems. In same year traveled to Florence and visited Galileo. Later called Galileo the greatest scientist of his own and any age.

Hobbes: life & times ~ slide 5

Hobbes: Life & times

Civil War in England, 1642-46, 1648.

1649-1660, Oliver Cromwell rules as virtual dictator.

1646, appointed tutor to Charles, Prince of Wales (later Charles II)

1651 - Leviathan. Brought Hobbes fame & problems. Accused by clerics of materialism & atheism.

Hobbes: life & times ~ slide 6

Hobbes: Life & times

Oliver Cromwell

Hobbes: life & times ~ slide 7

Hobbes: Life & times

After the death of Cromwell (1660), the monarchy restored. Charles II (reigned 1660-1685).

1666 - fire of London

1679, dies at age of 92.

Hobbes: life & times ~ slide 8

Hobbes: life & times ~ slide 9