Sir Francis Baconâs âThe New Atlantisâ is an Early Modern Utopian novel that explores an idealised view of what human progress can achieve. The novel centres around the Utopian Island of âBensalemâ and its inhabitants, who embody Baconâs dreams for humanity through their kind-hearted, enlightened, and communal spirit. Throughout this work, Bacon demonstrates the importance of religious freedom in Christian society, as well as the integration of science and âThe Baconian Methodâ into education. âSalomonâs Houseâ represents the apex of Baconâs vision, a modern research university that focuses on the cutting edge of scientific discovery. âThe New Atlantisâ was published posthumously in 1628, never completed. Despite this, it still offers a rich vision of what âThe Father of Empiricismâ believed humanity could become. âThe New Atlantisâ remains one of the most important works of Utopic Fiction, alongside Sir Thomas Moreâs âUtopiaâ.
Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1626) was an English author, philosopher, and statesman. A prolific author, his work has spanned science, religion and literary fiction. His work has had a profound impact on science, and he is often regarded as âThe Father of Empiricismâ. His most important books, âNovum Organumâ and âNew Atlantisâ have a significant legacy. âNovum Organumâ was heavily influential to 17th century scholars, particularly Sir Thomas Browne who utilised âThe Baconian Methodâ for much of his encyclopaedia âPseudodoxia Epidemicaâ. âSalomonâs Houseâ from âThe New Atlantisâ was frequently used as inspiration for the establishment of âThe Royal Societyâ, the United Kingdomâs national academy for sciences.