James Simpson (Bible Christian)
James Simpson | |
|---|---|
 Portrait from Fifty Years of Food Reform (1898) | |
| Born | 9 July 1812 Clitheroe, Lancashire, England |
| Died | 3 September 1859 (aged 47) Foxhill Bank, near Accrington, Lancashire, England |
| Burial place | St James' Church, Church Kirk, Lancashire, England |
| Occupation(s) | Deacon, activist |
| Known for | Vegetarianism activism |
| Title | President of the Vegetarian Society |
| Term | 1847–1849 |
| Successor | William Harvey[1] |
| Spouse |
Hannah Harvey (m. 1843) |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | William Harvey (father-in-law) |
James Simpson JP (9 July 1812 – 2 September 1859) was a Bible Christian deacon and activist for a number of causes. He was active in the vegetarianism, temperance, anti-tobacco, anti-Corn Law and peace movements. Simpson co-founded and served as the first President of the Vegetarian Society.
Biography
Early life and education
James Simpson Jr. was born on 9 July 1812, in Clitheroe, Lancashire.[2] He was the son of James Simpson Sr.,[3] a wealthy calico printer.[4] Soon after his birth, his family moved to Foxhill Bank, near Accrington.[2] His family were members of the Bible Christian Church.[5]: 106
Simpson was educated by Rev. W. Wood at Hybrake House, Altham.[6] He also received a private education in London and Berlin, intended to pursue a career in law. However, his moral principles deterred him from pursuing this career. Following his father's death, he inherited a large fortune.[2]
Career
Actively engaged in public life, Simpson supported diverse social and political reforms. A member of the Anti-Corn Law League, he was also involved in the temperance movement during a time when such a choice was uncommon.[7] He served as Vice-President of the United Kingdom Alliance. Additionally, he was a prominent member of the Lancashire Liberal Party.[5]: 106 He was also a justice of the peace for the county palatine of Lancaster.[8]
Embracing the tenets of the Bible Christian Church and influenced by Swedenborg, Simpson maintained a lifelong commitment to vegetarianism, instilled by his mother.[7] He served as a deacon of the Church.[9]
Simpson helped form and was elected the first president of the Vegetarian Society in 1847.[10] His travels abroad led to the establishment of international vegetarian societies.[11] He also anonymously published two works on vegetarianism.[5]: 106
Personal life and death
Simpson married Hannah Harvey in 1843.[4] They had two children.[6] His father-in-law was William Harvey, who was Mayor of Salford from 1857 to 1859 and a prominent Bible Christian.[12]
Simpson died on 2 September 1859, at the age of 47.[8] He had suffered from a long illness for 18 months.[6] Simpson was buried at St James' Church, Church Kirk.[13] A 30 feet (9.1 m) high memorial obelisk was erected there.[5]: 106
Legacy
One of Simpson's lectures on vegetarianism inspired T. Anderson Hanson to become a vegetarian.[5]: 52
Selected publications
- The Products of the Vegetable Kingdom vs the Flesh of Animals as Food 'Part I' (London: Whittaker, 1847)
- A Few Recipes of Vegetable Diet with Suggestions for the Formation of a Dietary, from which the Flesh of Animals is Excluded... (London: Whittaker, 1847)
- A Letter to the Rt. Hon. H. Labouchere, on the more effective application of the system of relief by means of Soup Kitchens (London: Whittaker, 1847)
References
- ^ Antrobus, Derek. "History of Vegetarianism - William Harvey (1789-1870)". International Vegetarian Union. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
- ^ a b c Couling, Samuel (1862). "Simpson, James". History of the Temperance Movement in Great Britain and Ireland: From the Earliest Date to the Present Time. London: W. Tweedie. p. 349.
- ^ "Biography: Mary Rostron". Weaste Cemetery Heritage Trail. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Biography: Mary Harvey". Weaste Cemetery Heritage Trail. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Gregory, James Richard Thomas Elliott (2002). "Biographical Index of British Vegetarians and Food reformers of the Victorian Era". The Vegetarian Movement in Britain c.1840–1901: A Study of Its Development, Personnel and Wider Connections (PDF). Vol. 2. University of Southampton. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
- ^ a b c "Interment of the Remains of the Late Mr. Simpson". The Weekly Standard and Express. 14 September 1859. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com (subscription required).
- ^ a b "The Vegetarian Movement in England 1847-1981". International Vegetarian Union. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
- ^ a b "Died". Stockport Advertiser. 9 September 1859. p. 3. Retrieved 25 January 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "The Bible Christian Church (1809-1930)". International Vegetarian Union. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
- ^ "History". Vegetarian Society. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
- ^ "Veggie revolution was led by the North". Lancashire Telegraph. 8 January 1998. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
- ^ "Biography: Mary Rostron". Weaste Cemetery Heritage Trail. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
- ^ "Burials at St James in the Parish of Church Kirk". Lancashire OnLine Parish Clerk Project. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
