Chua Soi Lek, the other Francis Bacon

Francis Bacon was born on January 22, 1561, at York House, London, the residence of his father Sir Nicholas Bacon, the Keep of the Great Seal of Queen Elizabeth.

Sir Nicholas Bacon died suddenly in 1579. He had intended to provide Francis with an estate, but death overreached his plans, and the young Bacon was left penniless. Having accustomed to the luxuries of life, he found it hard to reconcile himself to a forced simplicity of life. He took up the practice of law.

Eventually, in 1583, at the age of 22, he was elected to Parliament for Taunton; and his constituencies liked him so well that they returned him to his seat in election after election. He had a terse and vivid eloquence in debate, and was an orator without oratory. He commanded where he spoke. No man had their affections more in his power. Meanwhile he had been given a place in the prosecuting office of the realm and was appointed to be the prosecutor in the prosecution of the once powerful Earl of Essex whom Queen Elizabeth loved but who later tried to dethrone her by raising the populace to revolt. Essex was found guilty and sentenced to death.

From then on, Francis had to lived in the midst of enemies watching for a chance to destroy him. His insatiable ambition left him no rest; he was ever discontent, and always a year or so ahead of his income. He has this tendency to keep his expenditure several years in advance of his income that forbade him the luxury of scruples. However, his varied ability and almost endless knowledge made him a valuable member of every important committee. He was made Solicitor-general in 1606, and in 1618, at the age of 57, he was made the Lord Chancellor.

Francis Bacon readiness to saber foes with his speech made him many enemies and include those enemies in Essex’ case.

A friend once warned Francis Bacon: “… as your tongue hath been a razor to some, so shall theirs be to you.” But he left the warning unnoticed. He seemed to be in good favor with the King; he had been made Baron Verulam of Verulam in 1618, and Viscount St. Albans in 1621; and for 3 years he had been Chancellor.

Then suddenly the blow came. In 1621 a disappointed suitor charged him with taking money for the despatch of a suit; it was no unusual matter at that time as it was one of the customs of those lively days for judges to take “presents” from persons trying cases in their courts.

But Bacon knew at once that if his enemies wished to press it they could force his fall. He waited for new developments. When he learned that all his foes were clamoring for his dismissal, he sent in his “confession and humble submission” to the King hoping he will receive forgiveness and pardon. But yielding to pressure from the Parliament he was sentenced and sent to the Tower.

Upon his released and after paying a heavy fine, he spent the next five years that remained to him in the obscurity and peace of his home, harassed by an unwonted poverty, but solaced by the active pursuit of philosophy, where he wrote his greatest Latin work, 'De Augmentis Scientiarum' and 'A History of Henry VII'. He mourned that he had not sooner abandoned politics and given all his time to literature and science. He was one who had been wounded in hot blood, who for the time scarce feels the hurt. He voiced a wish to die, and like Caesar, he was granted his choice.

In the Epilogue of his Essay, Francis wrote:

“Men in great place are thrice servants; servants to the sovereign or state, servant of fame, and servants of business, so as they have no freedom, neither in their persons nor in their action, nor in their time …

The rising unto place is laborious, and by pains men come to greater pains; and it is sometimes base, and by indignities men come to dignities. The standing is slippery and the regress is either a downfall or at least an eclipse.”

Francis Bacon had written in his will, proud and characteristic words:

“I bequeath my soul to God, My body to be buried obscurely, My name to the next ages and to foreign nations.”

The ages and the nations have accepted him.

Dear Dr Chua, did you read about Francis Bacon before you made the "courageous" submission and confession?