John Locke (1632-1704) was one of the most influential philosophers of the Enlightenment period, whose ideas about natural rights, social contract theory, and limited government profoundly shaped modern political thought. Born in Somerset, England, Locke studied medicine at Oxford University and later served as personal physician and advisor to Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury. Through this connection, he became deeply involved in English politics during a turbulent period of constitutional crisis.
Locke's major political works, particularly his Two Treatises of Government, were written during a time of great political upheaval in England. His radical ideas about individual rights and the proper limits of governmental power led to him being charged with sedition in 1683, forcing him to flee to France for several years. The Second Treatise argued that political authority derives from the consent of the governed and that people have natural rights to life, liberty, and property that no government can legitimately violate - revolutionary concepts for their time.
By the time of the American Revolution, Locke's writings had become foundational texts for political reformers and revolutionaries. His influence is clearly evident in the Declaration of Independence, which echoes his ideas about natural rights and the social contract. The Founding Fathers, particularly Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, drew heavily from Locke's political philosophy in crafting the framework of American government. His emphasis on religious tolerance, separation of powers, and constitutional limits on government authority continues to influence political thought and democratic institutions around the world.
