Portal:Law/Biography/Week 39 2006
Jeremy Bentham (February 15, 1748 – June 6, 1832) was an English gentleman, jurist, philosopher, and legal and social reformer. He is best known as an early advocate of utilitarianism and animal rights, who influenced the development of liberalism.
Bentham was one of the most influential utilitarians, partially through his writings but particularly through his students all around the world, including James Mill, who was his secretary, his collaborator on the utilitarian school of philosophy (and James Mill's son), John Stuart Mill, and several political leaders (and Robert Owen, who later became the founder of socialism).
Bentham argued in favor of individual and economic freedom, including the separation of church and state, freedom of expression, equal rights for women, animal rights, the end of slavery, the abolition of physical punishment (including that of children), the right to divorce, free trade, and no restrictions on interest. He supported inheritance tax, restrictions on monopoly power, pensions, and health insurance.