John Locke, the English philosopher, was born in 1632 in the parish of Wrington. He lived through a series of tumultuous events in England which had a significant effect on the British monarchy.
The English Revolution began in 1640 when Parliament challenged the power of Charles I. His trial and execution in 1649 paved the way for the republican Commonwealth and its constituents, the Rump Parliament, Oliver Cromwell, and the Protectorate. The monarchy was restored in 1660 under the leadership of Charles II
The Glorious Revolution of 1688 saw Parliament at odds with the monarch, yet again. With their support, Dutch stadtholder William of Orange removed James II from the throne, effectively ending the reign of the Stewarts.
It is unclear which event truly motivated Locke, but shortly after the Glorious Revolution he anonymously published his famous work, the Two Treatises of Government. The first book refuted a widely held theory of society and government known as Patriarchalism. In the second, he expounds his own views on nature, society and government.
According to Locke, mankind in a natural state are rational beings. Society and government are structures formed to protect natural rights and mediate disputes. Therefore, a government that doesn't fulfill its duties can and should be overthrown by the governed. These theories heavily influenced the course of American history due to their impact on the American Revolution, making Locke a philosopher who affected history.
Commonwealth Book Publishers of Virginia is a publisher and book publishing service with a particular emphasis on the connection between philosophical thought and the course of human events.
Charles Willson Peale supported the American Revolution, fought in the Revolutionary Army, and served in the Pennsylvania state assembly. His role as a committed revolutionary is not what earned him a high ranking place in American history, though.
Peale learned saddle making in his youth and attempted to open his own shop in adulthood. When that failed, several rich benefactors pooled resources to send him to England to learn painting. When he returned, he quickly made a name for himself in portraiture. His political views as a Revolutionary and a Freemason enabled him to come in contact with major Revolutionary figures and paint portraits of them.
He also opened a revolutionary museum where he displayed plants and animals in an effort to educate Americans on local biology. Though the museum eventually closed, its impact was significant.
His portraits provided succeeding generations with a glimpse into the personalities of famous figures in the founding of the United States. His museum removed some of the mystery from nature and provided future museum curators with a framework for natural museums. Peale was an artist who used his craft to elucidate the history of the American revolution.
Commonwealth Book Publishers of Virginia, book editor and publisher, encourages the use of art as an interpretive tool for historical events.
The first of the three figures who so succinctly conveys Commonwealth Book Publishers of Virginia's approach to history is the famous statesman Thomas Jefferson. He played a pivotal role in American history for his authorship of the Declaration of Independence and subsequent introduction of the concept of inherent rights into the American political vernacular.
Jefferson went on to serve as Minister to France, Secretary of State, Vice President, and President. He was responsible for the Louisiana Purchase and the expedition of Lewis and Clark into the new land. Jefferson also played a significant role in the design and formation of the University of Virginia.
Many biographies fail to adequately account for the sources of Jefferson's inspiration. His educational background exposed him to the work of British philosopher John Locke whose thoughts on government and society likely had a major impact on a young Jefferson.
Through his actions, Jefferson brought philosophical thought into the framework of history, thereby intertwining the depth of human thought with the march of human events.
Commonwealth Book Publishers of Virginia is a book retailer and book publishing service with a particular yen for works that reveal the interdependence of history, philosophy, and art. We invite authors to submit works for review and possible inclusion into our specialized book list.
