Jeremy Bentham

15 February 1748 – 6 June 1832

Jeremy Bentham (1748-1832) was an English philosopher, jurist, and social reformer regarded as the founder of modern utilitarianism, the doctrine that actions are right insofar as they promote the greatest happiness of the greatest number. A child prodigy trained in law, he devoted his life to legal and social reform, designing the panopticon prison and advocating causes far ahead of his time. His preserved body, the 'auto-icon,' remains on display at University College London.

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Life events

Born in Houndsditch, London, England
15 February 1748

Jeremy Bentham was born into a wealthy family of attorneys and proved a child prodigy, reportedly reading Latin at age three.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Studied at Westminster School and The Queen's College, Oxford
1760 – 1766

Bentham entered Oxford at age 12 and took his BA in 1763 and MA in 1766, among the youngest graduates of his day.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Called to the bar at Lincoln's Inn but chose theory over legal practice
1769

Bentham qualified as a barrister in 1769 yet never practiced, turning instead to the critique and reform of the law itself.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Published A Fragment on Government
1776

Bentham's anonymous 1776 attack on Blackstone's Commentaries announced his reformist program and utilitarian outlook.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Developed and promoted the panopticon prison design
1786

From 1786 Bentham elaborated his circular prison allowing constant observation of inmates, campaigning unsuccessfully for decades to have it built in England.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Published An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation
1789

Printed in 1780 and published in 1789, the work systematically expounded the principle of utility as the foundation of morals and law.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Made an honorary citizen of France by the National Assembly
1792

In 1792 revolutionary France conferred honorary citizenship on Bentham in recognition of his writings.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Co-founded the Westminster Review
1823

In 1823 Bentham helped establish the Westminster Review as the journal of the philosophical radicals.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Inspired the founding of London University, later University College London
1826

Bentham's ideas on education open to all regardless of religion influenced the founders of London University (1826), which now houses his auto-icon.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died in London; body preserved as an auto-icon per his will
6 June 1832

Bentham died on 6 June 1832, directing that his body be dissected and then preserved; the auto-icon is displayed at University College London.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓