John Stuart Mill

John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) was an influential English philosopher and political economist, most noted for his works on liberty and utilitarianism. His seminal essay, "On Liberty" (1859), argues for the protection of individual freedoms against societal tyranny. Mill's "Utilitarianism" (1861) further developed the ethical theory originally advanced by Jeremy Bentham, emphasizing the greatest happiness principle. As a Member of Parliament (1865-1868), he championed women's suffrage and social reforms, including the 1867 Reform Act. Mill's rigorous logic and eloquent prose mark him as a key figure in 19th-century thought. His "Principles of Political Economy" (1848) became a standard economic textbook, reflecting his profound impact on both philosophy and economics.