Locke: A Biography
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 TaylorCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved