Jeremy Bentham

Jeremy Bentham was an English moral philosopher, sociologist, jurist, one of the leading theorists of political liberalism, and the founder of a movement in English philosophy: utilitarianism.

In published and unpublished treatises, Bentham extensively critiqued religion, the catechism, the use of religious oaths, and the bible. Using the pen-name Philip Beauchamp, he co-wrote a freethought treatise, Analysis of the Influence of Natural Religion on the Temporal Happiness of Mankind (1822).

Jeremy Bentham was born in London. He began studying Latin at the age of four. By the age of 15, he had received his bachelor's degree from Oxford and his master's degree at the age of 18. In 1760, Bentham entered Queen’s College, Oxford, and, upon graduation in 1764, studied law at Lincoln’s Inn.

Although he never practiced law, Bentham wrote a great deal of philosophy of law, spending most of his life critiquing the existing law. Inheriting a large fortune from his father in 1792, Bentham was free to spend his remaining life promoting progressive causes.

His Rationale of Punishments and Rewards was published in 1775, followed by his groundbreaking utilitarian work, Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation, 1780.

Jeremy Bentham was an obsessive writer. He spent his time in intense study, often writing some eight to twelve hours a day. Bentham was constitutionally unable, except on rare occasions, to bring his work to completion and publication. Most of what appeared in print in his lifetime were prepared for publication by others.

During Bentham's lifetime, his influence was negligible. But his impact increased in later years when his ideas were continued by such followers as John Stuart Mill, John Austen, and others.

On his death in 1832, Bentham left instructions for his body to be first dissected and then to be permanently preserved as self-image, which would be his memorial. This was done, and the auto-icon is now on public display at the entrance of the Student Centre at University College London (UCL).