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Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1626) was an English scientist, philosopher, author, and jurist, who served as Attorney General and Lord Chancellor of England, and whose written works on the scientific method were influential during the scientific revolution. Francis Bacon was born at York House near the Strand in London. His early education was conducted at home, due to poor health. He entered Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1573, at the age of twelve, and continued his education at the University of Poitiers. He was knighted in 1603, having found favor with King James I, and became solicitor general in 1607, seeking further promotion and wealth through his support for the policies of King James. He died in 1626, having contracted pneumonia while studying the effects of freezing on the preservation of meat.