Sir Francis Bacon – Philosopher | Francis Bacon Research Trust

Welcome to this website about the life and work—open and secret—of Sir Francis Bacon.

Francis Bacon (1561-1626) was the English philosopher, scientist, poet, orator, cryptographer, jurist, statesman, author, essayist, historian, intellectual reformer and master of the English tongue, who became Lord Keeper of the Great Seal and Lord Chancellor, and was given the titles Baron Verulam of Verulam and Viscount St Alban.

Bacon lived during the height of the English Renaissance and the beginning of the modern era, of which he is considered to be a major founder. The Royal Society, for instance, acknowledges and honours him as their instaurator. Similarly in France, when Colbert in 1666 asked Huygen’s advice on how the French Academy should be developed, he recommended that it should follow the plan of Bacon. Diderot and d’Alembert, in their preface to the great French Encyclopaedia (published in 1751), when speaking of those to whom they were most indebted, said:

“At the Head of these illustrious Heroes we deservedly place the immortal Francis Bacon… we are tempted to esteem him the greatest, the most universal, and most eloquent of all Philosophers. It is to this great Author we are chiefly indebted for our Encyclopaedic Plan.”

Why do we think this is important? What relevance has it today?

Bacon’s philosophical scheme, the Advancement of Learning and Great Instauration, although having been the main founding inspiration and guide for the development of modern science, is still not fully understood and practised in the way intended. To do so could bring enormous benefits to the world, and even enable a heaven on earth to be achieved—a time of wisdom, peace and prosperity for all.

Bacon not only headed the Rosy Cross Fraternity (Rosicrucians) but his Great Instauration is based on ancient wisdom and biblical and cabalistic principles. A study and knowledge of this is a major gateway into the true but veiled ever-living Wisdom Tradition. The aim is to discover truth.

Both Divinity and Poetry play major roles in the Great Instauration. Shakespeare is not only an important part of this but the Shakespeare Authorship enigma was set up to train us in what Bacon calls the Art of Discovery, so that eventually we might discover and know the Author of All.

Bacon was a man of mystery and secrets, both of necessity and choice. Partly because of this, and because he had to act the role of a martyr to truth, like the first St Alban before him, his name and memory has been slandered. This hurt needs to be redressed. The truth needs to be known, as does all truth.

This website is dedicated to helping us discover and achieve these things.

Upcoming Events:

'Shakespeare Mystery in Venice: A Gateway to Renaissance' (7-14 April 2018).
Enter into the beauty, secrets and art of Shakespeare and the Renaissance. A special week event in Venice led by Peter Dawkins and Julia Cleave. This event can now be booked.

Recent Essays:

'Portraits of Francis Bacon' - original and symbolic portraits of Sir Francis Bacon.
'The Other Self: A Kabbalistic Viewpoint' - Perceiving the Kabbalistic Tree of Life.