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Primary sourceBook1689 (dated 1690)

Two Treatises of Government

John Locke · 1689 (dated 1690)

Locke's anonymously published political treatise attacking divine-right monarchy and defending government by consent, natural rights and the right of resistance.

Locke's own founding work of political philosophy, written anonymously to avoid exposing his authorship.

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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.
John Locke, Two Treatises of Government, title page, London, 1690.

About this source

What it is

Two Treatises of Government was written by John Locke and published anonymously in 1689 (dated 1690 on its title page). The First Treatise refutes Robert Filmer's defence of absolute, hereditary monarchy. The Second Treatise sets out Locke's own theory of natural rights, property and government based on the consent of the governed.

Why it matters

Drafted during a period of political crisis in England and revised while Locke was in exile, the book became a founding text of liberal political thought. It shows how Locke used philosophy to argue against absolute royal power and for the idea that rulers can be resisted if they break the people's trust.

Look closer

  • Why might Locke have chosen to publish this book without his name on it?
  • What does the structure (one treatise attacking an opponent, one setting out a theory) tell you about Locke's purpose?
  • What historical events might have pushed Locke to write about the right to resist a ruler?

This book 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 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

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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

Black and white line engraving of a man with long wavy hair in a dark oval frame, wearing a loose coat over a white shirt. Below are books and a cartouche reading 'JOHN LOCKE Esq.' with a caption engraved for the Universal Magazine 1749.Painting

Secondary source

John Locke, Line Engraving after Kneller, 1749

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