James Tyrrell (writer)

James Tyrrell (1642–1718) was an English author and political philosopher.

His major works include:
*"Patriarcha non monarcha. The patriarch unmonarch'd: being observations on a late treatise and divers other miscellanies, published under the name of Sir Robert Filmer baronet." In which the falseness of those opinions that would make monarchy jure divino are laid open: and the true principles of government and property (especially in our kingdom) asserted. By a lover of truth and of his country. (1681)
*"A brief disquisition of the law of nature, according to the principles laid down in the reverend Dr. Cumberland's (now Lord Bishop of Peterborough's) Latin treatise on that subject." As also his considerations of Mr. Hobbs's principles put into another method. (1692)
*"Bibliotheca politica: or An enquiry into the ancient constitution of the English government; both in respect to the just extent of regal power, and the rights and liberties of the subject." Wherein all the chief arguments, as well against, as for the late revolution, are impartially represented, and considered, in thirteen dialogues. Collected out of the best authors, as well antient as modern ... (1694)

Tyrrell was a friend and supporter of John Locke, who stayed for a time at Tyrrell's home, at a time when he was apparently working on his Two Treatises on Government. His thinking appears to have been influential in the development of Locke's thinking, and for a time his writings were more influential than Locke's in the emergence of Whig thinking and policies.

References

* [http://www.constitution.org/tyrrell/tyrrell.htm Selected Political Works of James Tyrrell] . Online collection.

ource

* "Revolution by Degrees: James Tyrrell and Whig Political Thought in the Late Seventeenth Century" (Studies in Modern History), by Julia Rudolph (2002).