Locke: A Biography

Reviews / Votes

'If one loves Locke, or liberty, or, indeed, Somerset, this is a book one cannot comfortably live without. Roger Woolhouse is a professor of philosophy, so he can explain the full development of Locke's philosophical works. He combines that with a warm and fascinating account of Locke's personal and political life.' The Times 'Woolhouse has produced an outstanding work of scholarship. ... it will be an indispensable resource for many years to come.' Locke Studies '... neat and lucid account ...' The Times Literary Supplement 'In this excellent biography, the author is keen to show how Locke's philosophy was based on the events through which he lived: the Civil War ... Whilst he discusses those works with great care and clarity, he is always keen to give readers a portrait of Locke the man with his strengths and weaknesses.' Contemporary Review 'Woolhouse's portrait supersedes the 1957 definitive biography by mining a multivolume collection of Locke's correspondence published since then, providing this opportunity for active philosophy collections to freshen their Locke section.' Booklist 'Woolhouse weaves compelling critical readings of Locke's works into events in Locke's life that prompted them, also showing the extent to which many of Locke's key ideas emerged early in his life. Woolhouse combines engaging writing with lucid insights into Locke's times to create not only an elegant critical biography but also a first-rate social history.' Library Journal 'Woolhouse has produced a fascinating portrait of Locke which will be required reading for all those interested in Locke the philosopher and Locke the man, for many years to come' Chris R. Kyle, Renaissance Quarterly 'Now we can be grateful not only for the life and works of this profoundly influential man but for Woolhouse's gift of him to us anew.' Library Journal 'Relying on Locke's correspondence, manuscripts, and mostly unpublished journals, Woolhouse pieces together a detailed quilt that exhibits the tremendous variety of Locke's interests and activities ... [a] judicious and engaging biography.' Michael Losonsky, Journal of the History of Philosophy '... a valuable tool for any scholar interested in Locke or the intellectual history of the late seventeenth century.' British Journal for the History of Philosophy 'Roger Woolhouse, a professor of philosophy emeritus at York and a specialist of the period, has supplied the new version. ... there are wonderful passages in Woolhouse's account.' Robert Mankin '... impressive ... This tour de force appeared in hardback two years ago and must now rank as the definite biography of the one British philosopher whose legacy has proved most enduring.' Contemporary Review