Mill, John Stuart (1806–1873)

John Stuart Mill was a major philosopher who made contributions to many areas of philosophy, including moral and political theory. He was the eldest son of James Mill, who held a senior administrative position in the East India Company, which looked after the affairs of British India. James Mill was a close friend and disciple of Jeremy Bentham, the founder of the doctrine of utilitarianism. According to utilitarianism, the rightness of an act depends on whether, among all the available alternatives, it maximizes the happiness of those affected by it. Utilitarians take into account the various dimensions of happiness, such as its intensity, duration, and the number of people affected.

John Stuart Mill was educated at home by his father, who subjected the young Mill to an intense and wide learning process. Mill made remarkable achievements at an early age. He was appointed to a position in the East India Company, where he worked for 35 years, rising to the top position of examiner. He found time to write many of his works while he was in the service of the company. His recovery from a mental breakdown at age 20 led him to develop new interests and to be open to new influences. He developed a close but platonic friendship with Harriet Taylor, the wife of a merchant. Two years after the death of Harriet's husband, Mill and Harriet were married. They were dogged by bad health, and about 7 years later, Harriet died. Mill continued to write prolifically. He was elected to the House of Commons and served for one term. He unsuccessfully tried to pass a motion giving women the vote. The enfranchisement of women was a cause very close to both Mill's and Harriet's hearts. Mill died in Avignon, France, where he and his stepdaughter, Helen Taylor, had spent much time close to the grave of Harriet. He was buried there next to Harriet.