Frederick Towgood | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1807-10-05)5 October 1807 Russell Square,Middlesex, England |
| Died | 27 June 1860(1860-06-27) (aged 52) Hillingdon, Middlesex, England |
| Resting place | St Margaret's Church, Uxbridge, England |
| Other names | Frederic Towgood[1] |
| Occupation(s) | Businessperson, writer, reformer, activist |
| Known for | Advocacy ofphrenology,temperance, andvegetarianism |
| Spouse | |
| Father | Matthew Towgood IV |
| Relatives |
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| Family | Towgood family |
| Signature | |
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Frederick Towgood (also spelledFrederic; 5 October 1807 – 27 June 1860) was an English businessperson, writer, reformer, and activist. He advocated fortemperance andvegetarianism. He also explored interests inphrenology,mesmerism,homeopathy,hydropathy, andphysiology. Towgood served as president of theAnthropological Society of London, the City of London Temperance Society, and theLondon Vegetarian Association.
Frederick Towgood was born on 5 October 1807 inRussell Square, Middlesex,[2] the son of Ann (née Gibson) andMatthew Towgood.[3] His father, a banker, owned a paper mill inLittle Paxton. After their father's death, Frederick and his brother Edward took over the company, operating under the name Towgood Bros.[4] Towgood enjoyed a successful commercial career,[5] before retiring in 1856.[6]
After Towgood's retirement, he devoted himself to advancingpublic welfare, emphasising education, health, and moral improvement.[5] He was an associate ofWilliam Horsell andJabez Inwards.[7]
Towgood was a strong proponent ofvegetarianism,[note 1] total abstinence from alcohol, and the avoidance of tobacco, which he regarded as crucial for personal health and moral living. He believed these practices were supported by both contemporary scientific understanding and biblical teachings.[5] Towgood served as president of the City of London Temperance Society.[9] He was the first treasurer of theLondon Band of Hope Union from 1855.[7] He also served as president of theLondon Vegetarian Association until his resignation in 1857.[7]
Towgood had interests inphrenology,mesmerism,homeopathy,hydropathy, andphysiology. He lectured on phrenology at Camden Hall in 1855 and contributed articles on the subject. Towgood served as president of theAnthropological Society of London and treasurer of the newly formed London Phrenological Society in 1856.[7] He was also a co-editor of theJournal of Health & Phrenological Magazine in 1850[7] and was editor for 12 issues from 1855 to 1856.[8]
Towgood was an admirer of the Unitarian preacherWilliam Ellery Channing and traveled around the world, including to America.[7]
In 1845, Towgood was granted theFreedom of the City of London by patrimony, as the legitimate son of his father, who had previously been admitted to the Freedom of the City.[10]
Towgood married Ann Napier Ross on 21 Feb 1857 atSt Luke's Church, Chelsea.[11] She died on 30 May 1860 inHillingdon, Middlesex.[12] Towgood died shortly after, following several weeks of illness, on 27 June 1860, also in Hillingdon,[1] and was buried atSt Margaret's Church, Uxbridge.[13]
Towgood authored various works under different pseudonyms; these include:[7]