 John Stuart Mill (1806–1873), Comte's contemporary, admired his progressive philosophy of history (Mill 1865, 106) and shared his respect for scientific expertise (97).  But Mill was disappointed by Comte's basic distaste for democratic freedom and individuality (Mill 1865, 181).  Unlike Comte, Mill thought that a strong, scientifically oriented society could be a liberal democracy.  Such a society would best maintain the gains already achieved and nurture further improvement.  Mill articulates his twin commitment to progress and liberal democracy in his major writings, including A System of Logic (1843), Utilitarianism (1861), On Liberty (1859), and On Representative Government (1861). 