Who said: "Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some to be chewed on and digested."

"Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some to be chewed on and digested." – Francis Bacon

The Francis Bacon quoted here is the 17th century English philosopher and statesman – not the post war British painter of the same name. Bacon (1561-1626) studied at Cambridge, was called to the bar (qualified as a lawyer) in 1582, and became a Member of Parliament in 1584. Having found favor with the newly crowned James I, he worked his way through a variety of very senior positions including Solicitor General, Attorney General, Privy Counselor, Lord Keeper and Lord Chancellor, until he was accused of bribery and was fined and imprisoned. Although he was later pardoned he never returned to public office and died in debt in 1626.

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