The English Enlightenment philosopher John Locke was born in Wrington, Somerset, about twelve miles from Bristol on August 29,1632. He was born into a Puritan family. His father was a lawyer and clerk to the Justices of the Peace in Chew Magna, who had served as a captain of cavalry for the early part of the English Civil War. His mother was a homemaker. In 1647 Locke was sent to the highly prestigious Westminster School In London, sponsored by a family friend, also a member of Parliament. After completing studies there, he was admitted to Christ Church, in Oxford. Though a very capable student, he was irritated by the undergraduate curriculum of the time. He did not find the classical material that was taught at Oxford as interesting as he did the works of more modern philosophers. Locke however still managed to move forward in his career and through a friend he was introduced to medicine and the experimental philosophy being pursued at other universities and in the English Royal Society, which he eventually became a member of. In 1656 Locke was awarded his bachelors degree, later to be followed by a master's degree in 1658. After very intense studies during his Oxford years, Locke earned a bachelor of medicine in 1674. He worked with many noted scientists and thinkers to whom he looked up to such as Robert Boyle, Thomas Willis, Robert Hooke and Richard Lower, who all helped him along the way. He was lucky enough to meet Lord Anthony Ashley Cooper, First Earl of Shaftesbury. Shaftesbury had come to Oxford seeking treatment for his liver infection. After being impressed by Lockes' thinking and his outstanding accomplishments, he persuaded him to become part of his retinue. It was convenient since Locke had been looking for a career himself. He moved in with Shafte ...