Bentham, Jeremy (ca. 1747-1832)

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Newer Ideals of Peace, January 5, 1907

Old Glory: The Flag of Hope for World Peace, 1915

Jane Addams to the Editor of the Chicago Tribune, December 4, 1920

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Birth Date

1747-02-04

1748-02-04

Death Date

1832-06-06

Birthplace

London, England

Biographical Text

Jeremy Bentham was a philosopher and considered the father of Utilitarianism. Bentham attended Westminster School until the age of twelve when he was sent to Queen's College and completed his bachelor's degree in three years and his master's three years later. Bentham proposed a new jail building called the Panopticon, which was never built but laid the foundation for future prison institutions. However, when his plans for the Panopticon did not reach fruition, he began to think that the King and aristocratic elite prevented it from being built in order to serve their own interests. This led to Bentham forming the idea of "sinister interest," where those with power would put their interests ahead of the interests of the public. Bentham also worked with Patrick Colquhoun in fighting corruption in the Pool of London, which led to the creation of the Thames Police Bill of 1798. In 1832, Bentham co-founded the Westminster Review with James Mill. Bentham was a supporter of many legal and social reforms, animal rights, and gender equality.

Bentham died in 1832. In his will, Bentham left instructions for his body to be dissected and preserved as an auto-icon. Today the auto-icon is on display at University College London.