John Locke was born on 29 August 1632 in Wrington. An English philosopher and physician, Locke was a leading figure of the Enlightenment and of the empiricist tradition. In his Essay Concerning Human Understanding of 1689, he argued that the mind at birth is like a blank slate and that all knowledge comes from experience. His Two Treatises of Government defended the idea that legitimate government rests on consent and protects natural rights to life, liberty and property, and that people may resist a tyrannical ruler. He also wrote A Letter Concerning Toleration. His ideas strongly influenced the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence.
Before and after
- from 20 May 1631 to 24 May 1631Sack of Magdeburg
- from 1632 to 1634Smolensk War
- 1632Founding of University of Tartu
- 1632Founding of University of Amsterdam
- 29 August 1632Birth of John Locke
- October 1632Birth of Johannes Vermeer
- 20 October 1632Birth of Christopher Wren
- 24 October 1632Birth of Antonie van Leeuwenhoek
- 16 November 1632Battle of Lützen
More in Art, literature & culture
- 15th centuryConstruction of Red Square
- 1600Rise of Baroque music
- 1602Publication of Hamlet
- c. 1653The Taj Mahal is completed
- 17th centuryRise of ukiyo-e
- October 1745Publication of God Save the King
The era
This moment belongs to the Early modern world (1500 CE to 1760 CE), voyages, printing and new ideas. You can also browse everything in the 17th century.