Francis Bacon's theory was that scientific knowledge must come from the careful observation of nature filtered through inductive reasoning. His philosophy of science was revolutionary for Bacon's time when the most widely accepted authority on truth and knowledge of the universe was the Bible and the Church.

On 9 April 1626, Bacon died of pneumonia at Highgate outside London, specifically at Arundel House, a country residence of his friend the Earl of Arundel, though Arundel was then imprisoned in the Tower of London. An influential account of the circumstances of his death was given by John Aubrey's Brief Lives.

For the next few years, young Francis travelled extensively, visiting numerous locations in France as well as Italy and Spain, affording the precocious young man a wealth opportunities and an exposure to politics, society and law which he might not have experienced had he stayed at home.