Educated at Trinity College, Oxford, Harrington left after two years without a degree. On the death of his father, his inheritance allowed him to spend several years travelling in Europe. On his return to England around 1636, he spent most of his time at the family estate at Rand in Lincolnshire. Although Harrington was a parliamentarian, he nevertheless was loyal to King Charles I. When Charles was executed, Harrington spent most of his time writing The Commonwealth of Oceana, which was published in 1656 and dedicated to Oliver Cromwell. During the Restoration, Harrington was imprisoned in the Tower of London, charged with conspiracy against the government. He was then imprisoned on St.Nicholas Island until a bond was posted at Plymouth ensuring his release. His health suffered during this time and he had become addicted to guaiacum which greatly affected his mental state. He married in 1675, but never fully recovered his health. Harrington's Oceana expounds the theory that the power of the state lies in its property and that executive power should not be vested in the same men for any considerable time. The work is said to have influenced later framers of state law such as Thomas Jefferson. Harrington's other works consist primaily of pamphlets and papers defending his theories in Oceana. |
Chrysoma Associates Limited
