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What was Thomas Hobbesâs connection to the Virginia Company?
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Thomas Hobbes
Thomas Hobbes, detail of an oil painting by John Michael Wright; in the National Portrait Gallery, London.
Thomas Hobbesâs connection to the Virginia Company arose through his long-standing employment with the aristocratic Cavendish family. As a representative for the earls of Devonshire, Hobbes attended numerous meetings of the companyâs governing body, which provided him with early exposure to practical politics and allowed him to interact with influential figures of the time.1
His involvement was further solidified when his employer gifted him a small share in the company. This experience served as a significant introduction to political issues for Hobbes before he formally established himself as a student of political philosophy.1