W. Gibson Ward
W. Gibson Ward FRHistS | |
---|---|
Born | William Gibson Ward 1819 Birmingham, England |
Died | 18 October 1882 | (aged 62–63)
Occupation(s) | Vegetarianism and anti-vaccination activist |
William Gibson Ward
Biography
William Gibson Ward was born in
Ward was involved in a dispute with Henry Taylor, secretary of the National Agricultural Society. In 1876, it was reported that Ward was charged at the Birmingham Police Court with "feloniously and maliciously libelling Henry Taylor, of Leamington Spa" by publishing two defamatory letters.[5] Ward later withdrew his false charges against Taylor and regretted having made them. An apology by his solicitor on his behalf was produced at court and the apology was accepted and signed by all parties involved.[5]
From 1878 to 1879, Ward wrote a series of letters to The Times on vegetarian dieting.[4] The letters were popular with the public and increased membership to the Vegetarian Society.[4] Historian James Gregory has noted that Ward "played an important role in the revival through letters to The Times advocating vegetable alternatives for the working classes at a time of concern about the cost of food."[6]
Ward contributed to the National Anti-Compulsory Vaccination Reporter, an anti-vaccination journal.[7]
Journalist Howard Evans was highly critical of Ward and his activities. He commented that Ward was a "ferocious hater of the landed aristocracy" and "never was there such a man who had such a curious bundle of fanaticisms."[8]
Ward died on 18 October 1882.[9]
Legacy
Henry S. Clubb, the founder and first president of the American Vegetarian Society, cited Ward as his inspiration for going vegetarian, based on Ward's visits to his father's home.[10]
References
- ^ a b c Forward, Charles W. (1898). Fifty Years of Food Reform. London: The Ideal Publishing Union.
- ^ . Retrieved 9 November 2021.
- JSTOR 3677982.
- ^ ISBN 0-87451-708-7
- ^ a b Anonymous. (1876). Ward V. Taylor. The Country Gentleman's Magazine 4: 53–54.
- ISBN 978-1-84511-379-7
- ^ "Mr Gibson Ward and 'The Figaro'". National Anti-Compulsory Vaccination Reporter. 3: 28. 1878.
- ^ Evans, Howard. (1913). Radical Fights of Forty Years. London: Daily News & Leader. p. 38
- ^ White, William. (1885). The Story of a Great Delusion in a Series of Matter-of-Fact Chapters. London: E. W. Allen. p. 589
- ^ History of the Philadelphia Bible-christian Church for the First Century of Its Existence, from 1817 to 1917. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott co. 1922. pp. 67–89.