# Mr. Selden — Two Treatises of Government character guide

> Mr. Selden in Two Treatises of Government by John Locke.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0019-v-of-property

## Who they are

Legal scholar referenced in discussions of property and consent.

## Relationships

### [Adam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/characters/adam)

_rivalry_

Locke uses Adam to challenge Selden's views on natural law and the origins of political authority.

### [Adam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/characters/adam)

_rivalry_

Locke uses Adam to challenge Selden's views on natural law and the origins of political authority.

## In the story

### [Of Adam’s Title to Sovereignty, by Donation, Gen. 1:28](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/chapters/iv-of-adam-s-title-to-sovereignty-by-donation-gen-1-28)

Selden's view that Adam was made 'general lord of all things' is cited by Filmer; Locke distinguishes Selden's property-based interpretation from Filmer's monarchical claim.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/characters/mr_selden
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/two_treatises_of_government_se/characters