Thomas Hobbes was born in Malmesbury, England.  He was educated at Oxford University, and his studies focused mainly upon classics.  Hobbes frequently traveled around Europe to meet with many scientists and to study various types of government. While Hobbes visited foreign countries, he became intrigued in the reason people allowed themselves to be ruled.  He also pondered what form of government would be best for England. Hobbes wrote "Leviathan," in 1651.  In this work, he stated that people were naturally wicked, thus they could not be trusted to govern themselves. Hence, Hobbes deemed an absolute monarchy was best type of government.

More Literature by Hobbes

The Elements of Law, Natural and Politic
De Cive
On the Life and History of Thucydides