John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)

John Stuart Mill was an English utilitarian philosopher, political economist and Liberal politician. He was a supporter of women's suffrage and wrote 'The Subjection of Women' which was published in 1869. As an MP he campaigned for women's rights, which included calling for women to have the vote and attacking the marriage laws which penalised women. Mill supported the abolition of slavery in America and was also a supporter of free speech, labour unions and proportional representation in Parliament. 

"[I] am glad that by means of it I am placed before the

American public in the character of an uncompromising

enemy of slavery"

In his letter dated 22 October 1861 and sent from his home in Saint Ve'ran, France, John Stuart Mill writes with thanks for receipt of a book by architect and journalist Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903). Olmsted's book 'Journeys and Explorations in the Cotton Kingdom: a Traveller's observations on Cotton and Slavery in the American Slave States, 1853-1861' was published by Sampson Low, Son & Co. in 1861 and was dedicated to John Stuart Mill. Mill praises Olmsted's writings and expresses his gratitude at the dedication.

Mill also writes about the current state of America, engaged in Civil War, in which it is clear he supports the Union. 

View John Stuart Mill's letter [opens in a new window]

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