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Portrait miniature by Nicholas Hilliard of Francis Bacon in his 18th year, painted in Paris in 1578/9. The Latin inscription reads: ‘Si tabula daretur digna animum mallem’ (‘It would be preferable if a picture deserving of his mind could be brought about’). Francis Bacon was referred to as Solomon, Apollo and Athena by his contemporaries, both in letters, writings and tributes. Bacon uses biblical imagery in the design of his Great Instauration—his magnum opus. He referred to it as the Work of Six Days, in imitation of the Six Days’ Work of Creation that leads to the Seventh Day of Rest and Illumination. He was fond of the Wisdom of Solomon, likening himself to the king who searches truth out after God has hidden it—a proverb which can be applied to all seekers after truth, but which was particularly used by Solomon in reference to himself. Bacon always hoped that King James would become, or at least act, like Solomon, but in fact James always referred to his Lord Chancellor, Bacon, as his Solomon. For he [Solomon] sayeth expressly, the glory of God is to conceal a thing, but the glory of a King is to find it out;1 as if according to that innocent and affectionate play of children, the Divine Majesty took delight to hide his works, to the end to have them found out; and as if Kings could not obtain greater honour, than to be God's play-fellows in that game; specially considering the great command they have of wits and means, whereby the investigation of all things may be perfected. Francis Bacon, Advancement of Learning, Bk I (1605) Bacon sought, like Solomon, to construct a natural history, a temple of light, and a fraternity in learning and illumination. He began to build these three related things from the age of eighteen onwards, on his return from France:- I have held up a light in the obscurity of Philosophy, which will be seen centuries after I am dead. It will be seen amidst the erection of Tombs, Theatres, Foundations, Temples, of Orders and Fraternities for nobility and obedience—the establishment of good laws as an example to the World. For I am not raising a Capitol or Pyramid to the Pride of men, but laying a foundation in the human understanding for a holy Temple after the model of the World. Francis Bacon, Advancement of Learning, Bk II. And surely, as nature createth brotherhood in families, and arts mechanical contract brotherhoods in commonalities, and the anointment of God superinduceth a brotherhood in kings and bishops; so in like manner there cannot but be a fraternity in learning and illumination, relating to that paternity which is attributed to God, who is called the Father of illuminations or lights.2 Francis Bacon, Advancement of Learning, Part 2 (1605). Bacon’s allegory, The New Atlantis, describes his utopian vision based on how he hoped his Great Instauration would work. Bacon describes the society of Bensalem (the New Atlantis) as being founded by a Second Solomon (i.e. himself), who established at its heart the College of the Six Days’ Work, and whose brethren wore as their special mark a red cross. The work of the College is the labour of love, in order to discover and know love, the truth, which is light; hence all of Bacon’s work and that of his fraternity is, as he states, dedicated to charity. In Freemasonic lore it is the rebuilding of the Temple of Solomon by a fraternity in learning dedicated to charity, led by a ‘Second Solomon’ known as Zerubbabel, which lies at the heart of their Mysteries. © Peter Dawkins, FBRT, 1999 Refs: 1 Proverbs xxv,
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