Skip to main content

Primary sourceBook1620

Title page of Instauratio Magna

Francis Bacon · 1620

The engraved title page of Bacon's 1620 work outlining his plan to reform natural philosophy, written by Bacon himself.

This is the title page of Bacon's own 1620 work laying out his program for reforming natural philosophy.

Ask Francis Bacon about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
Engraved title page of Instauratio Magna, 1620. Two classical columns frame a ship sailing on waves under clouds. Ornate script reads Francisci de Verulamio, Summi Angliae Cancellarii Instauratio Magna. Bottom reads Londini, Anno 1620.
Title page of Francis Bacon, Instauratio Magna, London, 1620.

About this source

What it is

This is the engraved title page of Instauratio Magna, a major work by Francis Bacon published in 1620. The page names Bacon as 'Summi Angliae Cancellarii' (Lord Chancellor of England) and shows a ship sailing between two classical columns, printed in London.

Why it matters

This book set out Bacon's ambitious plan to rebuild human knowledge of the natural world on new foundations. The ship between the columns is a symbol of venturing beyond old limits, reflecting Bacon's belief that science should explore new ground much as sea voyages had opened new parts of the globe. It shows how Bacon saw himself as both statesman and philosopher of a new scientific age.

Look closer

  • Why might Bacon have chosen a ship sailing past columns as his title-page image?
  • What does listing his title as Lord Chancellor on a work of philosophy tell you about how he wanted to be seen?
  • What does this image suggest about attitudes toward exploration and knowledge in this period?

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

More Francis Bacon sources

Meet the AI Francis Bacon →
Engraved title page of Novum Organum Scientiarum by Francis Bacon, Leiden 1645, showing two classical columns, ships on the sea, and the Latin motto Multi pertransibunt & augebitur scientia.Book

Primary source

Novum Organum

Francis Bacon · 1620

Black and white engraving of a bearded man in 17th-century dress: a tall black hat, a large white lace ruff, and a dark cloak with patterned trim. He stands before a draped curtain with his right hand resting on a draped table.Painting

Secondary source

Portrait Engraving of Francis Bacon, Proof Impression

Title page of a 1696 London edition of Sir Francis Bacon's Essays, Or Councils, Civil and Moral, with a table of the colours of good and evil and a discourse on the wisdom of the ancients. Printed for H. Herringman, R. Scot, R. Chiswell, A. Swalle, and R. Bentley.Book

Primary source

Essays

Francis Bacon · 1597

Black and white engraved portrait of a bearded man with curly hair, wearing a wide-brimmed dark hat, a large white lace collar, and a dark embroidered doublet, against a shaded background. The caption below reads 'LORD BACON'.Painting

Secondary source

Francis Bacon, Engraving by C. Cook after Houbraken

C. Cook after Jacobus Houbraken · 1738

Title page of New Atlantis, printed in old-style typeface: 'NEVV ATLANTIS. A Vvorke vnfinished. Vvritten by the Right Honourable, Francis Lord Verulam, Viscount St. Alban.' Below the text is a small ornate woodcut frame with a figure and a winged creature.Book

Primary source

New Atlantis

Francis Bacon · 1627

Ready when you are

Start chatting with Francis Bacon now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions