James Mill

Date of Birth: April 6, 1773

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: June 23, 1836

Biography

James Mill was a Scottish historian, economist, political theorist, and philosopher, born on April 6, 1773. He is best known for his influential works in the fields of history and political economy, particularly his extensive “The History of British India” and his influential economic treatise “Elements of Political Economy.” Mill played a significant role in the development of classical economics and was a close associate of Jeremy Bentham, with whom he worked on the propagation of utilitarianism. His intellectual legacy also includes substantial contributions to the theory of representative government and liberty. James Mill was the father of the famed philosopher and economist John Stuart Mill, with whom he shared a deep intellectual bond.

5 Interesting Facts about James Mill

1. James Mill was one of the founders of the Ricardian school of economics, alongside David Ricardo.

2. His work “The History of British India” was one of the first comprehensive histories of British rule in India and influenced British policy in the region.

3. Mill was a proponent of utilitarianism and helped to popularize the philosophy through his writings and collaborations with Jeremy Bentham.

4. He was a key figure in the foundation of the London University (now University College London), which was established to provide non-sectarian higher education.

5. James Mill educated his son John Stuart Mill rigorously from a young age, leading John to become one of the most prominent philosophers and economists of the 19th century.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from James Mill

1. “The worth of a State, in the long run, is the worth of the individuals composing it.”

2. “Every man should be considered as having a right to the means of his own support.”

3. “The tendency has always been strong to believe that whatever has been long established must be reasonable and right.”

4. “The principal advantage of money consists in its being a means of ready exchange.”

5. “The proper function of a government is to make it easy for people to do good and difficult for them to do evil.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

James Mill did not achieve significant wealth in his lifetime; his highest net worth was modest, primarily derived from his work as a historian, political theorist, and his employment with the East India Company.

Children

James Mill had nine children with his wife Harriet Burrow. His most famous child was John Stuart Mill, who became a renowned philosopher and economist in his own right.