who was john locke

John Locke (1632–1704) was an English philosopher, physician, and influential thinker of the Enlightenment, widely regarded as the father of classical liberalism and British empiricism. He is best known for his major works such as "An Essay Concerning Human Understanding" and "Two Treatises of Government," where he argued for the foundational ideas of modern empiricism, the social contract, natural rights (life, liberty, and property), limited government, and religious toleration. Locke's political philosophy, emphasizing government by consent and the right of revolution against illegitimate rulers, greatly influenced the development of liberal democracies, including the American and French revolutions and subsequent constitutions. He also contributed significantly to theories of knowledge, education, and the separation of church and state.