Hobbes, Thomas
Hobbes, Thomas ( 1588 – 1679 ),philosopher, born at Malmesbury and educated at Magdalen Hall, Oxford. For a great part of his life he was in the service of the Cavendish family, and in 1647 was appointed mathematical tutor to the prince of Wales. At some time (probably between 1621 and 1626 ) he was in contact with F. Bacon , translated some of his essays into Latin, and took down his thoughts from his dictation. On three occasions he travelled on the Continent with a pupil, and met Galileo , Gassendi , Descartes , and the French mathematician Mersenne . On his return to England he submitted to the Council of State in 1652 , and was pensioned after the Restoration. He was intimate with W. Harvey , Jonson , Cowley , Aubrey , Waller , and Godolphin .
As a philosopher Hobbes resembles Bacon in the practical or utilitarian importance that he attaches to knowledge....
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