ABSTRACT
Herbert Spencer was born at Derby, England, on the 27th of April, 1820. His father, by profession a teacher, was a man of strong character, more than usual breadth of culture, and very original views. At a time when most children are being taught before all things to rely upon tradition, Spencer was already habituated to the freest and keenest atmosphere of discussion, and to the bold and direct criticism of even the most time-honoured beliefs. During this period his religious environment was a somewhat curious one. John Stuart Mill’s mind was forced as in a hot-house; Spencer’s was allowed to develop in the open air and with the least possible pressure from without. In the autumn of 1837 an offer came from the chief engineer of London and Birmingham Railway, then in process of construction; and, accepting this, Spencer now passed nearly a year in the ordinary routine of engineering work—partly in carrying on surveys, partly in making drawings.
