Among the most influential writings in the history of Western political thought, John Locke's Two Treatises
of Government and A Letter Concerning Toleration remain vital to political debates today, more than three centuries
after they were written. The complete texts appear in this volume, accompanied by interpretive essays by three
prominent Locke scholars. Ian Shapiro's introduction places Locke's political writings in historical and biographical
context. John Dunn explores both the intellectual context in which Locke wrote the Two Treatises of Government
and A Letter Concerning Toleration and the major interpretive controversies surrounding their meaning. Ruth Grant
offers a comprehensive discussion of Locke's views on women and the family, and Shapiro contributes an essay on
the democratic elements of Locke's political theory. Taken together, the texts and essays in this volume offer
invaluable insights into the history of ideas and the enduring influence of Locke's political thought.