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Signature of John Locke

John Locke

The autograph signature of John Locke.

This is Locke's own handwritten signature, a direct physical trace of the philosopher himself.

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Black handwritten-style cursive signature reading 'John Locke' on a white background, with large looping capital J and L.
Signature of John Locke.

About this source

What it is

This is the handwritten signature of John Locke, preserved as an image of his autograph.

Why it matters

A signature is a simple but direct trace of a historical figure's own hand, used to verify documents as genuinely theirs. It connects the many letters, pamphlets and papers Locke wrote or signed to the man himself.

  • What can handwriting and the way someone signs their name tell us about them?
  • Why do archives and historians care about verifying signatures on old documents?
  • What is the difference between a signature like this and a printed name on a book's title page?

This document is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of John Locke on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Title page of the 1690 London edition of Two Treatises of Government, printed in black letter and roman type in a bordered frame, reading 'Two Treatises of Government... an Essay concerning the True Original, Extent, and End of Civil Government', printed for Awnsham Churchill at the Black Swan in Ave-Mary-Lane, by Amen-Corner, 1690.Book

Primary source

Two Treatises of Government

John Locke · 1689 (dated 1690)

Title page of the 1690 first edition of An Essay Concerning Humane Understanding. Large capitals read 'AN ESSAY CONCERNING Humane Understanding. In Four Books.' A Latin epigraph from Cicero follows, then a printer's ornament and the imprint 'LONDON: Printed for Tho. Basset, and sold by Edw. Mory at the Sign of the Three Bibles in St. Paul's Church-Yard. MDCXC.'Book

Primary source

An Essay Concerning Human Understanding

John Locke · 1689 (dated 1690)

Sepia-toned mezzotint portrait of a man with long wavy hair, wearing a loose coat and open collar, turning slightly to his left within an oval frame of foliage. A cartouche at the bottom reads 'John Locke Esq.' with inscriptions in the lower corners.Painting

Secondary source

John Locke, Mezzotint after Godfrey Kneller

Godfrey Kneller

Title page of A Letter Concerning Toleration. Large capitals read 'A LETTER', then 'CONCERNING', then 'Toleration: Humbly Submitted, &c.' Below: 'LICENSED, October 3, 1689', then 'LONDON, Printed for Awnsham Churchill, at the Black Swan at Amen-Corner. 1689.' Faint reprint copyright text in background.Letter

Primary source

A Letter Concerning Toleration

John Locke · written 1685-1686, published 1689

Engraved oval portrait of a man with long wavy hair, wearing a loose dark gown over a white collared shirt, set in an ornate oval frame atop a pedestal bearing a coat of arms. Inscription below reads 'Effigies Iohannis Locke' with a Latin line beneath, plus artist credits 'G. Kneller Equ. pinxit 1697' and 'Geo. Vertue Sculp. 1722'.Painting

Secondary source

Portrait of John Locke, frontispiece to Works

George Vertue, after Sir Godfrey Kneller · 1722

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