Mill’s father’s interests and connections set the direction for his son, although Mill ultimately chose his own path based on life experience and the influence of his wife. Mill’s father, James, was a philosopher and economist, as well as an official in the East India Company. J.S. Mill also worked in that company until he retired when the British government took over the company’s administration in India in 1857. Mill edited the Westminster Review in the 1830s and was a member of Parliament between 1865 and 1868. Overall, Mill was dedicated to getting the educated public of Great Britain to accept scientific solutions to political, social, and economic problems, although he also placed great value on humanistic concerns as informed by the arts and life itself.