1820 - 1903. Evolutionary philosopher, born in Derby, Derbyshire. He became a civil engineer for a railway in 1837, but engaged extensively in journalism. A firm (pre-Darwinian) believer in evolution, his main work is the nine-volume System of Synthetic Philosophy (1862-93), which brought together biology, psychology, sociology, and ethics. He was a leading advocate of "Social Darwinism".