<P> On Liberty is a philosophical work by the English philosopher John Stuart Mill , originally intended as a short essay . The work , published in 1859 , applies Mill 's ethical system of utilitarianism to society and the state . Mill attempts to establish standards for the relationship between authority and liberty . He emphasizes the importance of individuality , which he conceived as a prerequisite to the higher pleasures -- the summum bonum of utilitarianism . Furthermore , Mill criticizes the errors of past attempts to defend individuality where , for example , democratic ideals resulted in the `` tyranny of the majority '' . Among the standards established in this work are Mill 's three basic liberties of individuals , his three legitimate objections to government intervention , and his two maxims regarding the relationship of the individual to society . </P>
who wrote the classic defense of personal freedom and individuality entitled on liberty
John Stuart Mill