Francis Lodwick
Encyclopedia
Francis Lodwick (1619–1694) was a pioneer of a priori languages (what in the seventeenth century was called a 'philosophical language
'). He was a merchant of Dutch origin who lived in London
. His name appears in
A Collection of the Names of the Merchants living in and about the City of London (1677), with the address "Fan-church street".
He did not have any higher education, and was admitted as a Fellow to the Royal Society
only at the age of 60.
Lodowick may have been acquainted with Daniel Defoe
. Francis' nephew Charles (1658–1724), Mayor of New York City in 1694, signed at Defoe's marriage as a witness, and Francis may have introduced Defoe to "Roscommon's Academy", a group founded by Lord Roscommon in 1683.
Philosophical language
A philosophical language is any constructed language that is constructed from first principles, like a logical language, but may entail a strong claim of absolute perfection or transcendent or even mystical truth rather than satisfaction of pragmatic goals...
'). He was a merchant of Dutch origin who lived in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. His name appears in
A Collection of the Names of the Merchants living in and about the City of London (1677), with the address "Fan-church street".
He did not have any higher education, and was admitted as a Fellow to the Royal Society
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
only at the age of 60.
Lodowick may have been acquainted with Daniel Defoe
Daniel Defoe
Daniel Defoe , born Daniel Foe, was an English trader, writer, journalist, and pamphleteer, who gained fame for his novel Robinson Crusoe. Defoe is notable for being one of the earliest proponents of the novel, as he helped to popularise the form in Britain and along with others such as Richardson,...
. Francis' nephew Charles (1658–1724), Mayor of New York City in 1694, signed at Defoe's marriage as a witness, and Francis may have introduced Defoe to "Roscommon's Academy", a group founded by Lord Roscommon in 1683.
Works
- 1647 A Common Writing: / Whereby two, although not under- / standing one the others Language, yet by / the helpe thereof, may communicate / their minds one to another. / Composed by a Well-willer to Learning. / Printed for the Author, / MDCXLVII.
- 1652 The / Ground-Work, / Or / Foundation Laid, / (or so intended) / For the Framing of a New Perfect / Language: / And an Vniversall or / Common Writing. / And presented to the consideration of / the Learned, / By a Well-willer to Learning. / Printed, Anno MDCLII.
- ca. 1675, A Country Not Named
- 1686 An Essay / Towards An / Universal Alphabet
See also
- John WilkinsJohn WilkinsJohn Wilkins FRS was an English clergyman, natural philosopher and author, as well as a founder of the Invisible College and one of the founders of the Royal Society, and Bishop of Chester from 1668 until his death....
- George DalgarnoGeorge DalgarnoGeorge Dalgarno was a Scottish intellectual interested in linguistic problems. Originally from Aberdeen, he later worked as a schoolteacher in Oxford in collaboration with John Wilkins, although the two parted company intellectually in 1659.-Works:...
- Cave BeckCave BeckCave Beck was an English schoolmaster and clergyman, the author of The Universal Character in which he proposed a universal language based on a numerical system.-Life:...
- Lodwick's Universal Alphabet has been compared to the TengwarTengwarThe Tengwar are an artificial script created by J. R. R. Tolkien. In his fictional universe of Middle-earth, the tengwar were invented by the Elf Fëanor, and used first to write the Elven tongues: Quenya, Telerin, and also Valarin. Later a great number of languages of Middle-earth were written...
.