Professor of Political Theory, Helen McCabe, has co-edited a new edition of (Hackett Publishing) which - for the first time - recognises Harriet Taylor Mill's status as its co-author (with John Stuart Mill).
Helen has worked with colleagues in the United States and Germany to examine the evidence from traditional and new, digital, humanities methods for recognising that On Liberty was - as Mill himself said - "the product of two minds".
This new edition of On Liberty is accompanied by a scholarly introduction to the question of authorship, and the main arguments of the book, as well as other work by Taylor Mill and Mill which explores the central themes, and contextualises the claims, of On Liberty.
Helen is an expert in the history of political thought and the work of both John Stuart and Harriet Taylor Mill. She said, "Mill clearly wanted to give due credit to his wife for equally co-authoring On Liberty but conventions prevented that at the time. It is great to be part of this collaborative project to see justice done for Harriet Taylor Mill, and John Stuart Mill".
The new edition has been received recognition in several press articles, including in the German newspapers and , and on , an online news and commentary site dedicated to the study of philosophy.
Posted on Monday 20th April 2026