Contents
John Stuart Mill
Defending individual liberty and arguing for women’s equality.
On Liberty · Utilitarianism
- Born
- 20 May 1806
- Birthplace
- London, United Kingdom
- Died
- 7 May 1873
More people
John Stuart Mill
John Stuart Mill was a British philosopher and economist whose writings shaped liberal political thought.
Early life
Intensive education
Was educated by his father James Mill from early childhood.
Influences
Engaged with utilitarianism and later reconsidered parts of his upbringing.
Career
- 1820s onward
Company employment
Worked for the East India Company while writing.
- 1840s–1860s
Major books
Published influential work on economics, liberty and ethics.
- 1865–1868
Parliament
Served as an MP and supported women’s suffrage.
Selected books
On Liberty
Argued for limits on coercion over individuals.
Utilitarianism
Explained an ethical approach centred on well-being.
The Subjection of Women
Challenged women’s legal and social inequality.
Beyond work
Partnership
Harriet Taylor Mill strongly influenced his intellectual life.
Reform
Supported electoral and social reforms alongside philosophical writing.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Photo: London Stereoscopic Company. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
