E. Dolby Shelton | |
|---|---|
 Shelton in 1891 | |
| Born | Edward Dolby Shelton 1856 (1856) Peterborough, England |
| Died | 1944 (1945) (aged 88) Essex, England |
| Occupations |
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| Known for | Advocacy fortemperance andvegetarianism |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 1 |
Edward Dolby Shelton (1856–1944) was an English printer, publisher, and activist. He was known for his advocacy oftemperance andvegetarianism. Shelton's career included managing Alexander Thomson's printing business in Manchester and co-running a printing and publishing venture on the Isle of Wight. He notably managed the Ventnor Vegetarian Hotel there, which hosted prominent figures likeMahatma Gandhi. Later in life, he focused on business and church activities inEly, Cambridgeshire, while continuing to promote vegetarianism alongside his wife, Frances.
Edward Dolby Shelton was born inPeterborough in 1856.[1] He was educated at theBritish School there, until the age of 11.[2]
Shelton became avegetarian after being influenced by a lecture given by J. M. Skinner, a fellowGood Templar andtemperance advocate, during Shelton's time inLeicester. His commitment to vegetarianism deepened after joining theVegetarian Society upon moving toNorthampton.[3]
In 1880, Shelton moved toManchester, where he worked at Alexander Thomson's printing business. During this period, he connected with leading figures in the vegetarian community and lived with the strict vegetarian Joseph Alley. Shelton became an active member of the Vegetarian Society, eventually joining its executive committee through the encouragement ofR. Bailey Walker.[3]
In the second quarter of 1885, Shelton married Frances Elizabeth Stroulger;[4][5] they had one son, Percival.[6] Shelton relocated to London in May of the same year. Initially, his household was divided on the subject of vegetarianism, but over time, his wife came to accept the lifestyle. In 1888, the family moved toVentnor on theIsle of Wight for health reasons. There, Shelton co-managed theIsle of Wight Express, a publication that eschewed alcohol advertisements and prioritised social issues.[3] He was also engaged in a printing and publishing business with William Briddon that dissolved in 1888.[7] Despite these efforts, the venture was not financially successful, and Shelton had to rely on his income from running the Ventnor Vegetarian Hotel, which hosted notable guests such asMahatma Gandhi and other vegetarians from Manchester and London.[3]
After the challenges in Ventnor, Shelton moved toEly, Cambridgeshire. Here, Shelton shifted focus to business and church activities, stepping back from active vegetarian propaganda. Nevertheless, he remained involved in the Cambridge Vegetarian Society, though its members' vegetarian lifestyle led to them being regarded as "freaks and fanatics" by some in the local community.[3]
From 1893 to 1905, Shelton partnered with John P. Tibbitts in publishing and printing under Shelton and Tibbitts. Shelton was involved in producing works likeGems of Ely Cathedral (1900) and theEly Red Book (1894), as well as local postcards featuring scenes like the Soldiers' Memorial inEly Cathedral. His contributions are noted in directories of early Cambridgeshire publishers and photographers.[1]
Around the age of 50, Shelton became a seer for the Trustees of theCountess of Huntingdon's Connexion, a position he held well into the 1930s. Both Shelton and his wife continued to advocate for vegetarianism; she contributed a regular column toThe Vegetarian, and Shelton attended cookery lessons to further promote the cause.[3]
Shelton died inEssex in 1944, at the age of 88.[8] His life and work were commemorated in an article inThe Vegetarian Messenger (1935) and his obituary inVegetarian News.[3]