Epistle Dedicatory

Epistle Dedicatory

This short text, written by Francis Bacon illustrates a rather important aspect of the Scientific Revolution- that of patronage and the importance of powerful backers in scientific endeavors. While the contents of his discovery is also interesting, what is more intriguing about this text is the fact that he devotes as much time to flattery and enticement as he does to describing what the text is about. The short letter to James I is full of flattery, but also self aggrandisement. In the same breath, Bacon paints both James I and himself as contributing to the “regeneration and restoration of the sciences” (Bacon, 143). In the Early Modern period, the importance of having powerful backers was twofold. Not only did the person being backed likely get funds, but they also had protection should they choose to upset the status quo, as some of Bacon’s contemporaries, like Andreas Vesalius would hint at in their writings. These scientists walked a very fine line between discovery and upsetting the status quo. If they went to far, they would fare no better than Galileo.

Francis Bacon

Science in Europe, 1500-1800

Early 1600's

Malcom Oster