James Mill

1773–1836

Nationality: Scottish

Historical Period: The 19th Century

James Mill (1773-1836) was an early 19th century Philosophic Radical, journalist, and editor from Scotland. He was very influenced by Jeremy Bentham’s ideas about utilitarianism which he applied to the study of British India, political economy, and electoral reform. Mill wrote on the British corn laws, free trade, comparative advantage, the history of India, and electoral reform. His son, John Stuart, after a rigorous home education, became one of the leading English classical liberals in the 19th century.

See the Liberty Matters online discussion on James Mill on Liberty and Governance

Quotes from James Mill:

• James Mill on the formulation of “Say’s Law”
• James Mill on Government Power
• James Mill on Who are to watch the watchmen?
• James Mill on the Nature of Those Who Govern
• James Mill on Women and Representative Government
• James Mill on the ruling Few and the subject Many
• James Mill on the “sinister interests” of those who wield political power
• James Mill likens the expence/economic stagnation brought on by war to a “pestilential wind” which ravages the country
• James Mill on the natural disposition to accumulate property

Titles from James Mill:

• Author: Articles in the Supplement to the Encyclopedia Britannica (1825)
• Author: BOLL 34: James Mill, The State of the Nation (1835)
• Author: BOLL 64: James Mill, “Liberty of the Press” (1825)
• Author: Colony
• Author: Commerce Defended (1808)
• Author: Education
• Author: Elements of Political Economy (3rd ed. 1844)
• Author: An Essay of the Impolicy of a Bounty on the Exportation of Grain (1804)
• Author: A Fragment on Mackintosh (1870)
• Author: Government
• Author: The History of British India, 6 vols. (1826)
• Author: The History of British India, vol. 1
• Author: The History of British India, vol. 2
• Author: The History of British India, vol. 3
• Author: The History of British India, vol. 4
• Author: The History of British India, vol. 5
• Author: The History of British India, vol. 6
• Author: Jurisprudence
• Author: Law of Nations
• Author: Liberty of the Press (1825)
• Author: The Political Writings of James Mill (1815-1836)
• Author: Prisons and Prison Discipline
• Author: Selected Economic Writings (1966)