Author Description

This is the first critical edition (and in some cases, the first edition ever) of the various literary and historical writings of the philosopher John Locke (1632-1704). The writings published here include poems, orations, a plan for a play, detailed instructions on how to compile a commonplace book, two sets of rules for a society meeting for general discussion, writings on the liberty of the press, and a memoir of Locke's patron, the first Earl of Shaftesbury. A General Introduction gives a detailed account of the content and circumstances of composition of these works, and a Textual Introduction provides a full description of the manuscripts and early printed editions consulted by the editors.