Lowe, Jonathan E. - Routledge Philosophy GuideBook to Locke on Human Understanding

John Locke lived during a particularly turbulent period of English history and was personally associated with some of its most dramatic episodes, despite possessing a rather quiet and retiring character. He was born in Somerset in 1632, the son of a small landowner and attorney, also named John (1606-61), and his wife Agnes (1597-1654). In spite of these relatively humble beginnings, he received an excellent education, first at Westminster School and then at Christ Church, Oxford. These advantages were made possible through connections which his father had with people richer and more influential than himself.