Highgate Cemetery- Herbert SPENCER

Anthropologist, sociologist, philosopher, biologist and liberal political theorist. Just a minuscule list of what Spencer was known for.  Born on 27th April 1820, during the Victorian Era, Spencer is known for applying Darwin's evolutionary theory towards the study of society to what he called 'synthetic philosophy'. Thus taking a more social approach to these theories.

 From an early age he became interested in society and individualism which led to him to study journalism and political writing in his early 20's. He became a writer for The Economist and quickly found himself exposed to many opinions. Spencer went on to write various books that became published the first being 'Social Statics' which talks about the ideas of human happiness, freedoms, liberties and progress. With his controversial views Spencer often found himself in the forefront of a lot of upheaval from his books which would often receive much criticism. He held an organic view of society which is why some suggest the fundamentals of Functionalism originated from him. As he was studied many theories he also suggested a link between biology as our social life was an extension from our natural body. And funnily enough it was Spencer who thought of the term 'survival of the fittest' which led him to believe that the rich and powerful could flourish in society because they had the socio-economic means to do so. Spencer believed that the law acted as a constraint to human rights and freedoms. He was a key Liberal theorist that saw the job for the state was to only protect individual rights and that many institutions in society shouldn't be meddled with by the state.

Spencer is said to have shaped the minds of many libertarians and is said to have influenced many into his way of thinking. His work has been seen to act as a model for many liberal thinkers concerning issues on individual rights and the works of the government.

'the great aim of education is not knowledge but action' - Herbert Spencer