(
1588-
1679) English
philosopher of
politics and
society. Hobbes' work influenced
Thomas Jefferson's
Declaration of Independence ("all men are created equal"). He rubbed shoulders with such heavies as
Francis Bacon,
Ben Jonson,
Galileo Galilei, and
Marin Mersenne. It is ironic that Jefferson's
Declaration ushered in a
democracy, when Hobbes firmly believed in
monarchy or
imperial rule.
audited 7/24/00 by ModernAngel