# Henry St John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke

> English politician and Viscount (1678-1751)

**Wikidata**: [Q332470](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q332470)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_St_John,_1st_Viscount_Bolingbroke)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/henry-st-john-1st-viscount-bolingbroke

## Summary
Henry St John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke, was an English politician and statesman who played a significant role in the political landscape of the early 18th century. Born in 1678, he served as Secretary of State and was a key figure in the Tory party, known for his diplomatic efforts and philosophical writings that influenced Enlightenment thinkers like Voltaire.

## Biography
- **Born**: September 16, 1678, in Battersea, Kingdom of England
- **Nationality**: English
- **Education**: Studied at Eton College and Christ Church, Oxford
- **Known for**: Political career, philosophical writings, and influence on Enlightenment thought
- **Employer(s)**: Government of the Kingdom of England, Tory party
- **Field(s)**: Politics, philosophy, history

## Contributions
- **Political Career**: Served as Secretary of State for the Northern Department (1710–1712) and Secretary of State for the Southern Department (1712–1714), playing a central role in negotiating the Treaty of Utrecht (1713).
- **Philosophical Works**: Authored essays such as *The Idea of a Patriot King* (1749), advocating for enlightened governance, and corresponded with prominent thinkers like Voltaire, shaping 18th-century political philosophy.
- **Historical Writing**: Contributed to historical discourse through works like *Letters on the Study and Use of History* (1752), emphasizing the importance of historical analysis in governance.

## FAQs
### What were Henry St John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke's key political roles?
He served as Secretary of State for the Northern and Southern Departments, significantly influencing British foreign policy, particularly through the Treaty of Utrecht (1713), which ended the War of the Spanish Succession.

### How did Bolingbroke influence Enlightenment thought?
His writings, such as *The Idea of a Patriot King*, critiqued absolute monarchy and advocated for balanced governance, resonating with Enlightenment philosophers like Voltaire, who engaged with his ideas in their own works.

### Where was Bolingbroke educated?
He studied at Eton College and Christ Church, Oxford, institutions that shaped his intellectual foundation and prepared him for a career in politics and philosophy.

### What was Bolingbroke's affiliation with the Tory party?
As a leading Tory politician, he championed the party's principles, including opposition to the Whig-dominated Parliament, and played a pivotal role in the Harleyite faction, which briefly held power in the early 1710s.

## Why They Matter
Henry St John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke, significantly shaped 18th-century political thought and diplomacy. His advocacy for a balanced constitutional monarchy and his critiques of unchecked power influenced Enlightenment thinkers, ensuring his ideas endured beyond his political career. Without Bolingbroke, the philosophical underpinnings of governance in the 18th century would lack a key voice that bridged British politics and continental intellectual movements.

## Notable For
- Negotiating the Treaty of Utrecht (1713), a landmark in European diplomacy.
- Authoring *The Idea of a Patriot King*, a seminal work on governance.
- Correspondence with Voltaire, linking British political thought to the French Enlightenment.
- Leadership in the Tory party during a critical period of British political history.
- Founding member of the Club de l'Entresol in Paris, fostering intellectual exchange.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Henry St John was born on September 16, 1678, in Battersea, Kingdom of England, to Sir Henry St John and Anne Smith. He studied at Eton College and later at Christ Church, Oxford, though he did not graduate. His education laid the groundwork for his intellectual pursuits and political career.

### Political Career
Bolingbroke entered politics in the early 1700s, aligning with the Tory party. He rose to prominence as Secretary of State for the Northern Department (1710–1712) and later for the Southern Department (1712–1714). His diplomatic efforts culminated in the Treaty of Utrecht (1713), which reshaped European alliances and marked a high point of British influence. However, his career was cut short when he was impeached by the Whigs in 1714, leading to a period of exile in France.

### Philosophical and Literary Contributions
During his exile, Bolingbroke turned to writing, producing influential works such as *The Idea of a Patriot King* (1749) and *Letters on the Study and Use of History* (1752). These works critiqued absolute monarchy and emphasized the role of history in informing governance. His ideas engaged with Enlightenment thinkers, notably Voltaire, who admired his political philosophy and incorporated elements of it into his own writings.

### Affiliations and Legacy
Bolingbroke was a Fellow of the Royal Society, reflecting his interest in scientific inquiry, and a founding member of the Club de l'Entresol in Paris, which facilitated intellectual discourse. His legacy extends beyond politics; his writings influenced 18th-century political thought, advocating for a balanced government that considered both monarchical and parliamentary authority. Despite his controversial political maneuvers, his intellectual contributions remain a cornerstone of Enlightenment political theory.

### Personal Life and Later Years
After returning to England in 1723, Bolingbroke continued to write and advise political figures, though he never regained his former influence. He died on December 12, 1751, leaving behind a complex legacy as both a skilled diplomat and a controversial figure whose ideas transcended his political career.

## References

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