Thomas Hobbes’ political philosophy had a profound influence on the thinkers of the Enlightenment. In particular, his idea of a social contract between the ruler and the ruled helped to shape the thinking of Enlightenment philosophers like John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
Hobbes was born in 1588 in Wiltshire, England, where he received his early education at the local grammar school. He studied at Oxford University from 1602 to 1608 and then traveled extensively throughout Europe before returning home in 1629 to serve as tutor to William Cavendish, Earl of Devonshire’s son. He remained with this family for many years until he left in 1637 when he became secretary to Lord William Cavendish (the third Earl of Devonshire).
In 1629 Hobbes published his most famous work titled “Leviathan.” This was his attempt to explain how humans interact with one another and form governments. First published in Latin, it was translated into English by Thomas Blount in 1651 and has since been translated several times into other languages as well.
During his travels, Hobbes met many notable scholars and philosophers including Galileo Galilei who would become one of his strongest influences. It was during this time that he began writing his most famous work Leviathan or The Matter, Forme & Powers Of A Common-Wealth Ecclesiastical And Civill which was published in 1651 after being banned by King Charles I because it criticized monarchical rule and argued that sovereignty belonged to the people rather than their rulers.
