Medieval People: Roger Bacon

Roger Bacon (1214-1294) was an English philosopher, theologian, and Franciscan friar who is best known for his contributions to the development of the scientific method. He was one of the first European scholars to promote the study of mathematics and experimental science, and his ideas were influential in the development of modern science.

Bacon was born in Somerset, England, and joined the Franciscan order in his youth. He studied at Oxford University and later at the University of Paris, where he became interested in the works of Aristotle and other Greek philosophers. He was also influenced by the Arabic scientific tradition, which had been transmitted to Europe through Muslim scholars.

Bacon’s major contributions to science were in the areas of optics and astronomy. He wrote extensively on the nature of light and vision, and proposed that the use of lenses could correct vision problems. He also made important observations of the stars and planets, and proposed that they could be studied using mathematical methods.

In addition to his scientific work, Bacon also wrote on a wide range of other topics, including theology, linguistics, and alchemy. He was critical of the prevailing Aristotelian philosophy of his time, and argued that the use of reason and experimentation was essential to understanding the natural world.

Bacon’s ideas were not widely accepted in his own time, but his work had a significant impact on later generations of scientists and philosophers. He is often regarded as a forerunner of the scientific revolution of the 16th and 17th centuries.