Thomas Hobbes: Autobiographical and Occasional Writings

Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) is best known as a political theorist, but also wrote about history, psychology, physics, optics and many other subjects. This volume, Autobiographical and Occasional Writings, edited by renowned Hobbes scholar Noel Malcolm, consists of a number of texts closely connected with Hobbes's own life and activities. Foremost among these are the two Latin autobiographies, one in prose and one in verse, which he wrote towards the end of his life. Another autobiographical text is a short book published by him in the Interregnum period, defending his conduct in the Civil War; and there is also the long Latin poem he wrote about a journey undertaken in the Derbyshire Peak District. Other writings in this volume include: a reply to a petition from the colonists on Bermuda; a legal document about a dispute in the noble Cavendish family, in which Hobbes was closely involved; a policy paper on how to win the Civil War; a love poem; and Hobbes's will.