John Locke icon of liberty: Mark Goldie traces the ways in which people across the political spectrum have used and abused the ideas of the philosopher who died 300 years ago this month.(Critical Essay) From: History Today | Date: October 1, 2004| Author: Goldie, Mark | COPYRIGHT 2004 History Today Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan.  All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group.Copyright information

THE ENGLISH DO NOT celebrate their philosophers. In Paris there is a rue Descartes. In Edinburgh there is a statue of David Hume. But in England there is no public fanfare for John Locke (1623-1704), the ter-centenary of whose death falls on October 28th this year. You will find his portrait in the National Portrait Gallery, but demand is insufficient for a postcard to be on sale. Perhaps Locke would not have minded that accolades are conferred instead on his friend Isaac Newton. H...