Jeremy Bentham

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Jeremy Bentham (February 15, 1748 – June 6, 1832) was an English, jurist, philosopher, and legal and social reformer. He is best known as one of the first people for utilitarianism and animal rights.

Bentham was one of the most influential (classical) liberals, partially through his writings but particularly through his students all around the world, including John Stuart Mill and several political leaders (and Robert Owen, who later became started the idea of socialism). He is believed to be the innovator of classical liberalism, a term first coined in the 19th century. After he died, his body was preserved.