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John Stuart Mill tells the story of the most famous education of the nineteenth century: taught at home by his father, the philosopher James Mill, he began…
John Stuart Mill tells the story of the most famous education of the nineteenth century: taught at home by his father, the philosopher James Mill, he began Greek at three and Latin at eight, and had read much of classical literature, history and logic before he was twelve. At twenty he fell into a deep depression, from which he recovered partly by reading Wordsworth's poetry, and learned that feeling must be cultivated as well as reason. He describes his friendship and marriage with Harriet Taylor, whom he calls the greatest influence on his thought.
Context and significance
Mill wrote the book in his last years, and it was published in 1873, the year of his death. It is a classic of intellectual autobiography. Read his On Liberty and Utilitarianism.
About the author
John Stuart Mill (1806–1873) received one of the most intense educations ever recorded: his father taught him Greek at three and Latin at eight, and by his teens he was writing on economics. At twenty he fell into a deep depression and found his way out through the poetry of Wordsworth, an experience that taught him the value of feeling alongside reason.
He worked for thirty-five years at the East India Company, wrote on logic, economics and politics, and shared his intellectual life with Harriet Taylor, whom he married in 1851. As a Member of Parliament he proposed votes for women in 1867. His On Liberty, Utilitarianism and The Subjection of Women are still at the centre of debate.