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

Sir Francis Bacon, Baron of Verulam, Viscount Saint Alban (1561-1626), was not only a recognised genius but also a man of many parts—a renowned philosopher, poet, orator, author, essayist, cryptographer, courtier, lawyer, parliamentarian, statesman, intellectual reformer and master of the English tongue. He was the first QC and KC, and in later life became Lord Keeper of the Great Seal and Lord Chancellor, with 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. Not only was he likened to Plato, as “the Third after Plato” (or “the Third Plato”), but the Royal Society of England acknowledged him as their instaurator, as also did the French Academy of France.

Bacon was also a man of mystery—a Freemason, Rosicrucian and “concealed poet”, acknowledged as “The very nerve of genius, the marrow of persuasion, the golden stream of eloquence, the precious gem of concealed literature,” the “Light-bearer” and “Day-Star of the Muses”, “leader of the choir of Muses and their disciples,” and renovator of Philosophy by means of Comedy and Tragedy (i.e. stage plays).

Likened to both Apollo and Pallas Athena, the Spear-shaker, Bacon led a studio of “good pens” and both inaugurated and led the Shakespeare scene. His title, Baron Verulam of Verulam, means ‘Spear-shaker of Verulamium’, and his second title, Viscount St Alban, is the name of the Romano-British saint, St Alban, the reputed founder of Freemasonry in England.

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

Latest News

Recent Essays:

'The Stratford Shakespeare Monument' – In-depth description of the highly enigmatic, challenging and revealing monument to Shakespeare, erected c.1620 in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon.

'Advancement of Learning Secrets' – Description of the highly symbolic and meaningful frontispiece to the 1640 English edition of Francis Bacon’s 'Advancement and Proficience of Learning'.

'The European Myth and Mystery' – The myths that describe Europe’s role in the world and the mysteries associated with them that are not only connected with Francis Bacon but are extremely relevant today.