iked the proposed marriage between the
English queen and Francis, duke of Anjou, and his distrust of the Roman
Catholics and the French was increased by the massacre of St Bartholomew.
As a loyal English churchman he was ceaselessly interested in
ecclesiastical matters, and made suggestions for the better observation of
doctrine and discipline in the church. He died in London on the 20th of
February 1579 and was buried in St Paul's cathedral, his death calling
forth many tributes to his memory. He was an eloquent speaker, a learned
lawyer, a generous friend; and his interest in education led him to make
several gifts and bequests for educational purposes, including the
foundation of a free grammar school at Redgrave. His figure was very
corpulent and ungainly. Elizabeth visited him several times at Gorhambury,
and had previously visited him at Redgrave. He was twice married and by his
first wife, Jane, had three sons and three daughters. His second wife was
Anne (d. 1610), daughter of Sir Anthony Cooke, by whom he had two sons.
Bacon's eldest son, Nicholas (_c._ 1540-1624), was member of parliament for
the county of Suffolk and in 1611 was created premier baronet of England.
This baronetcy is still held by his descendants. His second and third sons,
Nathaniel (_c._ 1550-1622) and Edward (_c._ 1550-1618), also took some part
in public life, and through his daughter, Anne, Nathaniel was an ancestor
of the marquesses Townshend. His sons by his second wife were Anthony
(1558-1601), a diplomatist of some repute, and the illustrious Francis
Bacon (_q.v._).

See G. Whetstone, "Remembraunce of the life of Sir N. Bacon," in the
_Frondes Caducae_ (London, 1816); J. A. Froude, _History of England_,
passim (London, 1881 f.).

BACON, ROGER (_c._ 1214-_c._ 1294), English philosopher and man of science,
was born near Ilchester in Somerset. His family appears to have been in
good circumstances, but in the stormy reign of Henry III. their property
was despoiled and several members of the family were driven into exile.
Roger completed his studies at Oxford, though not, as current traditions
assert, at Merton or at Brasenose, neither of which had then been founded.
His abilities were speedily recognized by his contemporaries, and he
enjoyed the friendship of such eminent men as Adam de Marisco and Robert
Grosseteste, bishop of Lincoln.

Very little is known of Bacon's life at Oxford; it is said he took orders
in 1233, and this is not im