John Locke died on 28 October 1704 in High Laver, aged 72. 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
- 1703Founding of Amherst
- 16 May 1703Founding of Saint Petersburg
- 1704Founding of Gibraltar
- 13 August 1704Battle of Blenheim
- 28 October 1704Death of John Locke
- 1706Founding of Albuquerque
- 17 January 1706Birth of Benjamin Franklin
- 15 April 1707Birth of Leonhard Euler
- 30 April 1707Acts of Union 1707
More in Art, literature & culture
- 15th centuryConstruction of Red Square
- 1600Rise of Baroque music
- 1670Construction of avenue des Champs-Élysées
- 17th centuryRise of ukiyo-e
- 25 April 1719Publication of Robinson Crusoe
- 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 18th century.