Vegetarian Society
| Founded | 1847 |
|---|---|
| Type | Non-governmental organization |
| Focus | Vegetarianism |
| Location |
|
|
Area served
|
United Kingdom |
| Method | Information, support |
| Website | www.vegsoc.org |
| Vegetarian Society Approved | |
|---|---|
| Effective region | United Kingdom |
| Product category | The approved product or food has undergone stringent checks to meet our vegetarian criteria |
| Legal status | Recognized by the consumers |
| Website | www.vegsoc.org |
The Vegetarian Society is a British registered charity which was established on 30 September 1847 to promote vegetarianism.
In the 19th century a number of groups in Britain actively promoted and followed meat-free diets. Key groups involved in the formation of the Vegetarian Society were members of the Bible Christian Church, supporters of the Concordium, and readers of the Truth-Tester journal.
The Bible Christian Church was founded in 1809 in Salford by Reverend William Cowherd after a split from the Swedenborgians. One distinctive feature of the Bible Christians was a belief in a meat-free diet, or ovo-lacto vegetarianism, as a form of temperance.
The Concordium was a boarding school near London on Ham Common, Richmond, Surrey, which opened in 1838. Pupils at the school followed a diet completely free of animal products, known today as a vegan diet. The Concordium was also called Alcott House, in honor of American education and food reform advocate Amos Bronson Alcott.
The Truth-Tester was a journal which published material supporting the temperance movement. In 1846 the editorship was taken over by William Horsell, operator of the Northwood Villa Hydropathic Institute in Ramsgate, Kent. Horsell gradually steered the Truth-Tester towards promotion of the 'Vegetable Diet'. In early 1847 a letter to the Truth-Tester proposed formation of a Vegetarian Society. In response to this letter, William Oldham held what he called a "physiological conference" in July 1847 at Alcott House. Up to 130 attended, including Bible Christian James Simpson, who presented a speech. The conference passed a number of resolutions, including a resolution to reconvene at the end of September.
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