Son of philosopher and reformer James Mill, John Stuart Mill began his career as a philosopher at a young age. He helped edit many of his father's and Jeremy Bentham's works and helped educate his sisters. The oldest of nine children, Mill was born in North London in 1806. Educated at home by his father and Bentham, Mill learned Greek, French, and Latin at a young age and was encouraged by his father to argue every idea presented to him. He did just that when he began to argue against the Utilitarian ideas his father promoted.

In 1823, Mill was hired by his father's employer, the East India Company, as a junior clerk. He worked there for thirty-five years, working his way up into management. Meanwhile, he wrote essays for The Examiner and The Westminster Review. These early essays reflected the ideas held by James Mill and Jeremy Bentham and...