Happy Birthday J.S. Mill!

Today, 20^th May, is John Stuart Mill’s birthday. He was born in 1806 and was one of the founders and presidents of the first women’s suffrage society, named the ‘London Society for Women’s Suffrage’. In 1866, he made a speech in Parliament arguing in favour of women being given a voice in who should represent the people by giving women the vote. Here’s the speech he made: http://oll.libertyfund.org/quote/91 .   

So, to celebrate his birthday, it would be great if all women eligible to vote made sure they are registered to do so. Registration in the UK closes at 11:59pm this Monday 22^nd May! It only takes 5 mins and can be done online at https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote .

About the Mill Philosophy Circle

It struck me that JS Mill is an important philosopher along with his father James Mill and his wife Harriet Taylor Mill, with whom he had a close collaboration, yet they seem fairly under-represented in philosophical debate compared with other philosophers, for example, Kant. I looked for a group to join that was specifically dedicated to the Mills but couldn’t find one so I’ve started this blog to fill the gap. My interest in Mill is that, amongst philosophers, he is unique in that he was a male feminist devoted to social reform and women’s rights. He was practical in that he involved himself in political life and stood up for what was right. This is pertinent today when politics seems in turmoil and liberal values are under threat.