John Stuart Mill was an English philosopher, political economist and civil servant. One of the most influential thinkers in the history of liberalism, he contributed widely to social theory, political theory and political economy. Dubbed "the most influential English-speaking philosopher of the nineteenth century", Mill's conception of liberty justified the freedom of the individual in opposition to unlimited state and social control.

Mill was a proponent of utilitarianism, an ethical theory developed by his predecessor Jeremy Bentham, and contributed significantly to the theory of the scientific method.

A member of the Liberal Party, he was also the first Member of Parliament to call for women's suffrage.

Biographical Summary

Mill, John Stuart. 20/05/1806-09/05/1873. Ref: 1058. Male.

• Place of Birth: 13 Rodney Street, Pentonville, London.
• Place of Death: Avignon, France.
• Profession: Philosopher, Political Economist.
• Appointments Held: Junior Clerk 1823, Examiner of Indian Correspondence 1856-7, India House; retired 1858 on dissolution of HEIC; Proprietor 1837-40, London Review; MP 1865-8, Westminster; Rector 1866, St Andrews University.
• Undergraduate Studies: Edinburgh University.
• Publications: "A System of Logic" 1843, " Principles of Political Economy" 1848,"On Liberty" 1859, etc. Many works on Political Economy.
• Marital Status: Married (1850) Mrs Taylor d.1858.
• Mother: Harriet Burrow.
• Father: James Mill (1773-1836), Philosopher.
• References: DNB 37, 1894, 390-9; Annual Register 1873, pt.2 139; Proc Roy Soc Edinb, 8, 1872-5, 259-73.
• Memberships: Speculative Society.
• Date of Election: 05/12/1864.
• Proposers: Proposed by Council as Honorary British Fellow, 5/12/1864.
• Fellow Type: HF.

SOURCE: Waterston, Charles D; Macmillan Shearer, A (July 2006). Biographical index of former fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, 1783-2002: Biographical Index. II. Edinburgh: The Royal Society of Edinburgh. ISBN 978-0-902198-84-5. page 645