Lecture
William Tyler
Monday 16.11.2026
William Tyler
Political Thought: Locke and Rousseau
Monday 16.11.2026
How to watch
This lecture starts on 16 November at 5:00pm (UK).
Summary
John Locke (1632–1704) wrote his political theory to underwrite the 1688 English Revolution. Known today as “the father of liberalism,” influencing, amongst others, those who wrote the American Declaration of Independence and Constitution. Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–1778) argued that legitimate political authority rests upon the will of the people, ideas that helped shape the French Revolution of 1789.
William Tyler
William Tyler has spent his entire professional life in adult education, beginning at Kingsgate College in 1969. He has lectured widely for many public bodies, including the University of Cambridge and the WEA, in addition to speaking to many clubs and societies. In 2009, William was awarded the MBE for services to adult education, and he has previously been a scholar in residence at the London Jewish Cultural Centre. Link to William’ s blog with recommended book lists for his Lockdown lectures.