English philosopher and jurist.

A child prodigy, at the age of 12 Bentham was sent to Oxford University to study law. It was hoped that he would follow his father and grandfather into the profession, however he found the profession morally repugnant and chose to become writer instead, devoting his life to the critical analysis of the law and morality.

In 1776 he anonymously published Fragment on Government, in which he criticised William Blackstone's Commentaries and put forward his own theory of government. In 1789 he published his most famous work Introduction to the Principles of Morals and Legislation, in which he outlined his theory of Utilitarianism - that pain and pleasure govern people's conduct, so creating the greatest happiness in the greatest number of people is the fundamental principle of morality. His later work, the Principles, further developed the political and ethical aspects of Utilitarianism.

Bentham also played a role in the development of the penal system. Following a plan devised by his brother Samuel for running industry he developed the 'Panopticon', a template for a prison in which prisoners radiated outward from the all-seeing inspector. He was eventually allowed to build a trial model, but it was dissolved in 1813.

In 1792 Bentham's father died, leaving him financially independent. He spent the remainder of his life living in Westminster, where he continued writing until his death.

Bentham's proposals for legal and social reform greatly influenced the nineteenth-century reforms of parliament and the administration of justice. Remembered as the father of Utilitarianism, he was also one of the founders of University College, London, where his skeleton is an exhibit.