James Simpson | |
|---|---|
 Portrait fromFifty Years of Food Reform (1898) | |
| Born | (1812-07-09)9 July 1812 Clitheroe, Lancashire, England |
| Died | 3 September 1859(1859-09-03) (aged 47) Foxhill Bank, nearAccrington, Lancashire, England |
| Burial place | St James' Church, Church Kirk, Lancashire, England |
| Occupation(s) | Deacon, activist |
| Known for | Vegetarianism activism |
| Title | President of theVegetarian Society |
| Term | 1847–1849 |
| Successor | William Harvey[1] |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | William Harvey (father-in-law) |
James SimpsonJP (9 July 1812 – 2 September 1859) was aBible Christian deacon and activist for a number of causes. He was active in thevegetarianism,temperance,anti-tobacco,anti-Corn Law andpeace movements. Simpson co-founded and served as the first President of theVegetarian Society.
James Simpson Jr. was born on 9 July 1812, inClitheroe, Lancashire.[2] He was the son of James Simpson Sr.,[3] a wealthycalico printer.[4] Soon after his birth, his family moved to Foxhill Bank, nearAccrington.[2] His family were members of theBible Christian Church.[5]: 106
Simpson was educated by Rev. W. Wood at Hybrake House,Altham.[6] He also received a private education inLondon andBerlin, and 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]
Actively engaged in public life, Simpson supported diverse social and political reforms. A member of theAnti-Corn Law League, he was also involved in thetemperance movement during a time when such a choice was uncommon.[7] He served as Vice-President of the temperance organisation, theUnited Kingdom Alliance. Additionally, he was a prominent member of the LancashireLiberal Party.[5]: 106 He was also ajustice of the peace for thecounty palatine of Lancaster.[8]
Embracing the tenets of the Bible Christian Church and influenced bySwedenborg, Simpson maintained a lifelong commitment tovegetarianism, instilled by his mother.[7] He also served as a deacon of the Church.[9]
Simpson co-founded and was elected the first president of theVegetarian Society in 1847.[10] From 1849, he published and edited the society's journalThe Vegetarian Messenger.[11] His travels abroad led to the establishment of international vegetarian societies.[12] He also anonymously published two works on vegetarianism.[5]: 106
Simpson married Hannah Harvey in 1843.[4] They had two children.[6] His father-in-law wasWilliam Harvey, who wasMayor of Salford from 1857 to 1859 and a prominent Bible Christian.[13]
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 atSt James' Church, Church Kirk.[14] A 30 feet (9.1 m) high obelisk was erected there to commemorate him.[5]: 106
One of Simpson's lectures on vegetarianism inspiredT. Anderson Hanson to become a vegetarian.[5]: 52
