1. Sir Francis Bacon
Of Regiment of Health

2. Sir Francis Bacon
1521 – 1626
Bacon introduced the first English essays in 1597 when he published his collection
Bacon believed that knowledge is in constant change — we must always be looking for opportunities to grow mentally

3. His Life
Bacon was a lawyer, statesman, essayist, historian, intellectual giant, and philosopher
He was born into aristocracy and studied at Cambridge; he became a lawyer
Convicted of accepting bribes, although the sentence was revoked four days later
He left the government and returned to private life

4. By 1625 he had published over 50 essays filled with humor and wisdom
Bacon believed that one must never become stagnant and did everything he could to continue learning and growing
He died because he caught severe bronchitis: he was studying the effect of cold temperatures on decaying meat (refrigeration)

5. His Work
Each sentence in the essay is an aphorism – designed to get your attention and imprint on your memory

6. Literary Terms
Essay - A brief explanation of a subject in prose, usually expressing a personal or limited view of the topic
Aphorism - a brief statement, often witty, that expresses a principle, truth, or observation about life

7. Class Work Read essay; annotate together in class
Complete Literary Critique, page 239, #s 1-5
Complete Writing Workshop, page 240