Radical British Writers Prepare the Way for Revolution
Many republican and anti-authoritarian writers from Great Britain—some convicted of sedition—were read and admired by American revolutionaries. Chief among them were John Locke (1632–1704), a well known anti-authoritarian political philosopher and Algernon Sidney (1622–1683), a republican writer executed for seditious writings. The writings of both men were essential to the natural rights political philosophies of America’s founders.
Many republican and anti-authoritarian writers from Great Britain—some convicted of sedition—were read and admired by American revolutionaries. Chief among them were John Locke (1632–1704), a well known anti-authoritarian political philosopher and Algernon Sidney (1622–1683), a republican writer executed for seditious writings. The writings of both men were essential to the natural rights political philosophies of America’s founders.