Edward Bacon (died 1618) facts for kids
Sir Edward Bacon (died 1618) was an important person in English history. He lived at Shrubland Hall in Suffolk, England. He was a Member of Parliament, which means he helped make laws for the country. He was also the older half-brother of the famous philosopher and statesman, Sir Francis Bacon.
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Who Was Sir Edward Bacon?
Sir Edward Bacon was the third son of Sir Nicholas Bacon. His father was a very important official called the Lord Keeper of the Great Seal for Queen Elizabeth I. This job was like being a chief legal advisor and a top judge. Sir Edward's mother was Jane Fernley.
His Early Life and Education
Like his older brothers, Edward went to Trinity College, Cambridge, a famous university. After that, he studied law at Gray's Inn in London. This training helped him prepare for a career in public service.
A Career in Parliament
Sir Edward Bacon became a Member of Parliament (MP) several times. An MP is a person elected to represent an area in the country's government. He represented different places, including:
- Great Yarmouth from 1576 to 1581
- Tavistock in 1584
- Weymouth and Melcombe Regis in 1586
- The county of Suffolk in 1593
He also served as the High Sheriff of Suffolk in 1601. A High Sheriff was a royal official responsible for keeping law and order in a county. In 1603, he was made a knight, which meant he was given the title "Sir."
His Travels in Europe
In the late 1570s, Sir Edward Bacon traveled across Europe. He visited many cities like Paris, Ravenna, Padua, and Vienna. He spent a longer time in Geneva, Switzerland. While there, he met important Protestant leaders like Johannes Sturmius and Lambert Danaeus. He even lived in the home of Theodore Beza, another famous scholar, while he was studying. Sir Edward returned to England by 1583.
His Family
Around 1581, Sir Edward Bacon married Helen Little. She was the daughter and only heir of Thomas Little, who owned Shrubland Hall. Helen's mother was Elizabeth Lytton, whose family came from Knebworth House. Sir Edward and Helen had two sons. Both of their sons also became Members of Parliament, just like their father:
- Nathaniel Bacon (1593–1660)
- Francis Bacon (1600–1663)
