All modern nonfiction owes its beginnings to Sir Francis Bacon, also known as the father of the English essay. He created the formal essay using his simple yet complex style proving a point. He was also the first writer to publish a collection of essays, so unique that their form became a literary genre. Bacon's influential works were largely influenced by the principles of the Renaissance period. Even Thomas Jefferson, one of our nation's founding fathers, claimed to have been influenced by Bacon's essays (McDougal 454). Also called “one of the three greatest men the world has ever known,” Francis Bacon wrote several important essays related to philosophical inquiry, natural science, and social status (McDougal 454). Bacon contributed significantly to contemporary society by determining a clear distinction between philosophy, science and religion. Ultimately, Bacon is a famous Renaissance writer who introduced a new way of writing and thinking. In 1597, Sir Francis Bacon made his first publication. He published a collection of essays (titled Essayes: Religious Meditations. Places of Perswasion and Disswasion. Seene and Authored) on politics, which was later expanded and republished in 1612 and 1625 (bio.com). His book contained the first examples of the literary form (essay) that gained popularity in England (McDougal 454). Inspired by Renaissance notions of humanism, Bacon published The Advancement of Learning in 1605 in an attempt to gather supporters for the sciences. Also in 1609 he published his analysis of ancient mythology On the Wisdom of the Ancients (bio.com). Francis Bacon then continued to publish a series of essays in which he set out his opinions on science, philosophy, politics, humanism, society...... middle of the paper ......ov. 2013. “Biography of Francis Bacon.” Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, 2013. Web. November 22, 2013. "From the Wise." McDougal Littell Literature: British Literature. Evanston, IL: McDougal Littell, 2009. 454-60. Print.Kemerling, Garth. "The Renaissance." The Renaissance. The pages of philosophy, 12 November 2011. Web. 22 November 2013. .Klein, Juergen. "Francis Bacon." Stanford University. Stanford University, December 29, 2003. Web. November 22, 2013. .Simpson, David. "Encyclopedia of Philosophy on the Internet". Bacon, Francis []. Encyclopedia of Philosophy on the Internet, July 15, 2005. Web. November 24. 2013. .