James Harrington

Date of Birth: January 1611

Zodiac Sign: Unknown

Date of Death: September 11, 1677

Biography

James Harrington was an influential English political philosopher, born in January 1611 and best known for his work “The Commonwealth of Oceana” (1656). Harrington’s writings were deeply rooted in the turbulent political landscape of 17th-century England, and he contributed significantly to the development of republican thought. His seminal work, “Oceana,” proposed a model of government that emphasized balanced power, civic virtue, and property distribution to prevent tyranny and promote stable governance. Harrington was educated at Trinity College, Oxford, and later traveled extensively across Europe, where he was exposed to various political systems and philosophies that influenced his own ideas. Upon returning to England, he became associated with the circle of intellectuals and politicians who were critical of monarchical rule. During the English Civil War, Harrington supported the Parliamentary cause, but after the execution of King Charles I, he became disillusioned with the increasingly authoritarian nature of the Commonwealth government under Oliver Cromwell. His political theories, particularly those concerning the distribution of land and the structure of representative institutions, were considered radical at the time and led to his brief imprisonment in 1661. Despite the controversial nature of his ideas, Harrington’s work had a lasting impact on later political thinkers and was influential in the development of modern democratic theory. He died on September 11, 1677.

5 Interesting Facts about James Harrington

1. James Harrington’s “The Commonwealth of Oceana” was initially suppressed by Oliver Cromwell, who saw it as a threat to his authority.

2. Harrington believed that the distribution of land directly influenced political power and stability.

3. He was imprisoned in 1661 due to his political writings, which were seen as subversive.

4. Harrington’s ideas on republicanism influenced the founding fathers of the United States, particularly in the structuring of the Senate.

5. He was a close friend of the poet and politician John Milton.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from James Harrington

1. “The empire of laws, and not of men.”

2. “Where there is no property, there is no justice.”

3. “A government of laws, and not of men.”

4. “The good of the people is the greatest law.”

5. “Aristocracy is a government by the best men, the most just and the wisest.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

James Harrington’s net worth is not well-documented, but as a 17th-century philosopher and political theorist, his wealth would have been modest compared to contemporary standards. His primary contributions were intellectual rather than financial.