Berkeley, George 1685-1753
Irish Anglican Bishop and philosopher

Born at Dysert Castle, Kilkenny, he was educated at Kilkenny College and Trinity College, Dublin (where he remained, as Fellow and tutor, until 1713). In 1724 he became dean of Derry, but became obsessed with a romantic scheme to found a college in the Bermudas which he gave up only after years of lobbying for support. In 1734 he became Bishop of Cloyne, and in 1752 moved to Oxford. His most important books were published in his early years: Essay towards a New Theory of Vision (1709), A Treatise concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge (1710) and Three Dialogues between Hylas and Philonous (1713). His remaining literary work was divided between questions of social reform and of religious reflection.

Bibliography: A C Grayling, Berkeley, the Central Arguments (1986)