John Stuart Mill (1806–1873) was a British philosopher, political economist, and civil servant. He was an influential contributor to social theory, political theory, and political economy. He was a proponent of utilitarianism, an ethical theory developed by his predecessor Jeremy Bentham, and contributed significantly to the theory of the scientific method. Mill was a strong advocate of individual liberty and freedom of expression. He also argued for the economic and moral benefits of free trade and international peace.