Jeremy Bentham

NAME Jeremy Bentham

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Jeremy Bentham is famous for being a philosopher, social reformer, and legal theorist. He is considered one of the founders of modern utilitarianism.

BIRTH Jeremy Bentham was born on February 15, 1748, in Houndsditch, London, England.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Bentham was from a wealthy and influential family who supported the Tory party. His father, Jeremiah Bentham, was a successful attorney, and his mother, Alicia Grove, came from a family of merchants. His family life reflected a mix of Enlightenment rationalism and religious piety.

CHILDHOOD Jeremy Bentham grew up in a privileged household. Considered a prodigy, he received an education at home before attending Westminster School. He was groomed for a legal career

EDUCATION Jeremy Bentham was practically spoon-fed learning from day one. By the time he could wobble on his chubby legs, there he was, knee-deep in a massive history of England at his dad's desk. Latin followed at the ripe old age of three, and then, just to show off, he waltzed into Oxford at the tender age of twelve.

Bentham studied Queen's College, Oxford. where he excelled academically. He later studied law at Lincoln's Inn and was called to the bar in 1769.

CAREER RECORD Although qualified as a lawyer,  Bentham didn't practice. Instead, he set his sights on ripping the whole legal system apart and rebuilding it from the ground up, along with a shiny new theory of law and morality for good measure. He started by churning out short works bursting with his ideas, like a legal reform happy meal.

Bentham focused on philosophical and reformist writings. He advocated for social and legal reforms based on utilitarian principles, aiming to maximize happiness and minimize suffering.

APPEARANCE Bentham was described as having a plain and unassuming appearance, often seen in simple clothing. He was likely of average height with a round face.

Portrait of Jeremy Bentham by Thomas Fyre

FASHION Bentham's attire was conventional for his time, reflecting his focus on intellectual and academic pursuits rather than fashion.

Notably, he wore a distinctive round hat.

CHARACTER Bentham was known for his sharp intellect, rationality, and dedication to social improvement through legal and ethical reforms. He could be critical and impatient with those who disagreed with him.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Bentham had a dry and analytical sense of humor, often employing wit in his philosophical writings. He sometimes used satire to make his points.

RELATIONSHIPS Bentham never married and had no children

He had close friendships with other intellectuals and reformers, including James Mill and John Stuart Mill, who were influenced by his ideas.

MONEY AND FAME Although born into wealth, Bentham used his resources to support his intellectual pursuits rather than seeking riches.

He achieved fame within philosophical and reform circles, but wasn't widely known by the general public.

FOOD AND DRINK Bentham's lifestyle was modest, and he focused more on intellectual pursuits than culinary interests.

MUSIC AND ARTS Bentham had a limited interest in music and the arts, preferring academic and philosophical endeavors.

LITERATURE An avid reader, Bentham was influenced by Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke and David Hume. Their focus on reason, empiricism, and individual rights greatly shaped his own philosophical ideas.

Bentham was a prolific writer, producing numerous books, articles, and pamphlets advocating for utilitarian reform. His most famous works include A Fragment on Government (1776) and An Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation (1780). He argued in the latter that the proper objective of all conduct and legislation is "the greatest happiness of the greatest number."

NATURE While not a prominent theme in his writings, Bentham valued rational inquiry and scientific observation.

Bentham owned a cat called Langbourne who he fed on macaroni. Over time, Langbourne's name became The Reverend Sir John Langbourne, D.D. (Doctor of Divinity). 

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Bentham's primary interests were in philosophy, law, and social reform, leaving little time for recreational hobbies or sports.

Bentham called his a favorite walking stick ‘Dapple’.

SCIENCE AND MATHS Bentham had a keen interest in science and mathematics, applying empirical methods to his philosophical investigations.

One of Bentham's big contributions was the "felicific calculus" – basically a way to weigh up pleasures and pains with a handy calculator (or at least that was the idea). This would then help figure out laws that made the most people happy, the greatest number and all that. Sure, some folks poked fun at its lack of precision, but Bentham countered that it was a work in progress, not a magic happiness formula.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY The founder of modern utilitarianism, which emphasizes the importance of maximizing happiness and minimizing suffering in ethical decision-making.

He challenged traditional religious authority and advocated for a secular society.

SCANDAL Bentham's life was relatively scandal-free, focused instead on intellectual pursuits and social reform.

MILITARY RECORD Bentham did not have a military career but dedicated his life to legal and philosophical pursuits.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Bentham's health was generally robust, allowing him to pursue his intellectual work until his later years. He continued to write up to a month before his death.

HOMES Bentham lived most of his life in Westminster, London, England. His home, known as Queen Square Place, became a center of intellectual activity.

Bentham designed the house himself, incorporating features that reflected his utilitarian principles, such as maximizing efficiency and natural light.

The Panopticon is a type of institutional building designed by Bentham.  Imagine a prison where the inmates could never tell if they were being watched, always feeling those watchful eyes. That's the Panopticon. Bentham spent ages dreaming up the design, but the government wasn't buying it. Still, it's a clever idea, even if it is a bit creepy. Think CCTV cameras everywhere – that's the Panopticon principle in action, according to some social critics.

Elevation, section and plan of Bentham's panopticon prison, drawn by Willey Reveley in 1791

TRAVEL Bentham himself did not travel extensively. However, his ideas traveled far and wide.

His writings on utilitarianism and legal reform influenced political and social movements throughout Europe and the Americas. The United States Declaration of Independence, for instance, echoes some of Bentham's ideas on individual rights and the pursuit of happiness.

DEATH Bentham died on June 6, 1832 aged 84 at his residence in Queen Square Place.

Bentham wasn't exactly shy about what should happen to him after he shuffled off this mortal coil.  His body was to be dissected and preserved, with the skeleton eventually assembled and displayed in a seated position, clothed in his usual attire at University College London. A bit out there, sure, but hey, to each their own.

And so it came to pass. There he sits, Bentham's skeleton, all dressed up with a wax head (the real one got mummified), in a glass case at UCL. He even gets to attend important university meetings – though whether he has much to say is another matter.

Bentham's head did have a bit of an adventure in 1975. Some pranksters from rival King's College nicked it, but thankfully, they returned it unharmed after a small ransom of £10 was paid to the homeless charity, Shelter. Just another day in the wild world of Jeremy Bentham.

Below is Bentham's auto-icon in a new display case at University College London's Student Centre in 2020.

By Philip Stevens - Own work,Wikipedia

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Bentham's preserved skeleton at University College London is a unique and enduring media presence.

His writings continue to be studied and debated by scholars and philosophers.

There have also been occasional documentaries and biographies exploring his life and ideas.

ACHIEVEMENTS Bentham's founding of modern utilitarianism remains a cornerstone of ethical and political thought.

His ideas on legal and social reform significantly impacted 19th-century society, influencing everything from prison design to the expansion of voting rights.