Francis Bacon was a busy man of affairs. Known popularly as “The father of English Essays”, his essays have an evergreen freshness and an intellectual power.
He went to Cambridge when he was 12 years old, but he quit early because he thought the whole learning plan was crazy. He wanted three things: to be able to freely study nature, to find facts instead of theories, and to be able to prove results through experiments instead of arguments. Today we call it science, but at that time it was revolutionary.
Francis Bacon is hailed as the progenitor and architect of the English essay. But why is Bacon considered the founding father of this ubiquitous literary form?
Let’s examine how Bacon pioneered and popularized the essay genre in the English language.
Bacon Introduced a New Literary Form
In 1597, Francis Bacon published a collection of short prose pieces titled “Essayes: Religious Meditations, Places of Perswasion and Disswasion.”
This was the first recorded use of the word “essay” in the English language. The term was adapted from the French word “essai,” meaning “to attempt” or “to try”
Bacon’s novel essays were concise, pithy reflections on philosophical, political, historical, and scientific topics. His writings stood in stark contrast against elaborate metaphysical poetry and romantic prose which dominated Elizabethan literature.
In his succinct, aphoristic style, Bacon proved that prose could be just as engaging a form of self-expression as poetry. He lent respectability to a modest literary form that had scarcely been used in the English language prior.
His Essays Were Widely Emulated
The success of Bacon’s 1597 publication led him to expand his collection in later years.
In 1612, Bacon released an enlarged edition containing 38 essays. By the 1625 edition, the number grew to 58 essays covering topics from truth, death, envy, love, friendship, atheism, studies, and more.
The accessible, conversational tone of Bacon’s essays inspired countless writers to imitate the form. Over the following decades, scores of essayists emerged in England like John Dryden, Samuel Johnson, and Charles Lamb.
This cemented the essay as a bonafide English literary genre and confirmed Bacon’s status as its founding father.
He Codified the Form and Style
According to literature scholars, a literary form does not truly exist until someone codifies it. Through his prolific essay writing, Bacon defined the English essay both in form and style.
Bacon outlined key attributes of the essay genre that contrasted it from fiction or academic writing. An essay should:
- Be brief yet lively and insightful
- Explore a single topic from different perspectives
- Combine personal experience with philosophical reflection
- Use an intimate, conversational tone and avoid pedantry
- Offer shrewd observations on life without moralizing
In style, Bacon emphasized clarity above all. He used short, balanced sentences intentionally avoiding obscure metaphysical conceits. His essays had an epigrammatic style where each sentence conveyed a self-contained thought.
By codifying the unique traits of the essay, Bacon distinguished it as a distinct literary form. This allowed for clear imitation and solidified Bacon’s legacy.
He Legitimized the Essay as Literature
As a prominent philosopher and statesman, Bacon’s advocacy legitimized the humble essay among England’s intellectual elite.
In Elizabethan England, literature meant epic poetry, sonnets, and classical Greek/Roman texts. The essay was viewed as a frivolous form preferred by unsophisticated audiences.
By using the essay format to share philosophical and scholarly insights, Bacon elevated the form to a real literary art. Following Bacon’s lead, subsequent essayists moved the genre away from light humor and mundane themes toward more serious discussions.
Owing to Bacon’s status and influence, the English essay gained widespread respectability and popularity it would have otherwise lacked.
He Democratized Self-Expression
Prior to Bacon, studying the classics was seen as the exclusive path to wisdom. Bacon believed in developing understanding through real-world observation and sharing it in plain language accessible to the common man.
In his essays, Bacon rejected academic jargon and dense prose. He conversed philosophically on equal terms with his reader. This shifted literature from privileged intellectual pursuit to a democratic art form for self-expression.
This common touch and relatability explain why the essay became so widely embraced and endured so successfully as a literary genre.
His Essays Remain Relevant
Some scholars argue Bacon merely imported the essay from France rather than inventing it outright.
However, the sheer excellence, depth, and enduring legacy of Bacon’s essays justify his moniker as the form’s English father.
After 400+ years, Bacon’s essays continue to be reprinted and enjoy wide readership. The same cannot be said for earlier English writers who dabbled in proto-essays.
The wisdom encapsulated in those highly quotable, pithy sentences remains as relevant today as when first penned. This timeless appeal confirms Bacon’s foundational role elevating the essay to an English literary staple.
Legacy as the Father of English Essays
Thanks to Bacon, the essay flourished in England as a respectable literary form alongside poetry and drama. Every English student encounters Bacon’s works. His name appears in literature syllabi alongside Shakespeare and Chaucer.
Through his elegant but accessible style, Bacon proved the essay could be a vehicle for philosophy and scholarship, not just casual humor. He lent gravitas to the form which allowed it to become a respected genre.
By pioneering, popularizing and legitimizing the English essay, Bacon rightfully earned his place as the father of the form. He paved the way for other literary icons like Charles Lamb, George Orwell, Aldous Huxley, and more who further cemented the essay’s enduring appeal.
Contribution In English Literature
Bacon used to write in the Elizabethan Era. He has given us a true picture of the English society of his time. We remain indebted for the aphorisms his essays carry. They are filled with sensuousness and wit. There is no clear statement of what he supports; instead, he gives a list of pros and cons.
Francis Bacon | Father of English Essay
FAQ
What is the purpose of Bacon in writing the essay?
What did Francis Bacon contribute to the English essay?
Who is considered the father of essay?
What is Bacon considered the father of?
Was Francis Bacon a great essayist?
English Literature » Notes » Francis Bacon as an Essayist Francis Bacon is the first great English essayist who enjoys a glorious reputation and considered to be the father of English essay. He remains for the sheer mass and weight of genius. His essays introduce a new form of composition into English literature.
Why is Bacon regarded as the father of English essays?
Bacon is regarded as the father of English essays. The great title is attributed to him on the ground of his great contribution to English essay. But the term father gives the sense of the originator also. In this sense this title seems unjustified, because there was essay even before Bacon. But the form was different.
Who was Sir Francis Bacon?
Sir Francis Bacon (later Lord Verulam, the Viscount St. Albans, and Lord Chancellor of England) was born in London in 1561 to a prominent and well-connected family.
Who is the father of English essay?
INTRODUCTION: Bacon, the father of English essay, is the first great English essayist who enjoys a glorious reputation. He remains for the sheer mass and weight of genius. His essays introduce a new form of composition into English literature.