Jeremy Bentham's Auto-Icon: An Egoistic Advertisement for Reform

This is an essay about Jeremy Bentham’s Auto-Icon, which is represented by a pamphlet outlining his desire to be dissected for medical experimentation after his demise and also the public display of his physical remains in the Cloisters building at University College London. The essay considers the context, motivation and rationale for adopting such a radical stance for its time. The essay included research of Bentham’s unpublished manuscripts and published works. The essay formed part of an LLM Master’s degree in Law at University College London during 1995-1996 (and was awarded a ‘Distinction’). It may prove useful to individuals reading law, history, philosophy, sociology or those with a general interest in Jeremy Bentham and, unlike many other publications in this genre, can be read in one sitting.