Marion E. Coville | |
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 Coville in 1920 | |
| Born | Marion Elizabeth Coville (1870-02-22)February 22, 1870 New York, U.S. |
| Died | June 5, 1960(1960-06-05) (aged 90) San Diego, California, U.S. |
| Other names | Marion Elizabeth Coville Hansen |
| Alma mater | Syracuse University |
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| Organizations | |
| Notable work | An Appeal Against Slaughter (1914) |
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Marion Elizabeth Coville Hansen (bornMarion Elizabeth Coville; February 22, 1870 – June 5, 1960) was an American educator, writer, activist, composer, musician, and philanthropist. She was known for her lifelong dedication to teaching, nursing, and community service. She was a long-time member ofKappa Kappa Gamma, having been affiliated with the organization for 72 years. She was also a committedvegetarianism activist, authoringAn Appeal Against Slaughter, in 1914, which argued against killing animals for food and clothing, based on scriptural and ethical arguments.
Marion Elizabeth Coville was born inNew York on February 22, 1870.[1] Her parents were Orson Coville, a businessman andCivil War veteran, and Marion L. (née McDonald).[2]
Coville pledged toKappa Kappa Gamma at the age of 16 before enrolling atSyracuse University, where she majored in music. Her academic pursuits were interrupted when she suffered an accident that required a prolonged hospital stay. Due to this setback, she did not immediately return to college.[3]
In her childhood, Coville witnessed the killing of a chicken, which left a lasting impression on her. This event, along with a visit to the stockyards and her later studies of the human need for animal products, led her to adopt avegetarian diet around 1904, believing that vegetables could meet the body's nutritional needs just as effectively as animal products. In addition to her vegetarian diet, she was committed to avoiding all animal by-products, wearing clothing made from cotton and silk, choosing shoes made from alternative materials, and rejecting leather. Her furs were imitation, as she considered wool, leather, and animal fur equally objectionable as meat.[4]
Coville also briefly abstained from foods containing animal products, such as butter and lard. However, she eventually faced practical challenges in maintaining this diet, particularly in terms of food availability, and returned to a vegetarian diet, though she continued to avoid animal by-products in other areas of her life.[4]
Coville's family were largely indifferent to her strong advocacy for vegetarianism. While they did not actively oppose her views, they reportedly found her beliefs and lifestyle somewhat amusing. Despite this lack of support, Coville remained steadfast in her commitment to promoting a meat-free and cruelty-free way of life.[4]
In 1914, Coville publishedAn Appeal Against Slaughter: Are You Able to Hear?. It presents a critique of animal slaughter for food and clothing, drawing on both scriptural and ethical arguments. Coville condemns killing in all forms as barbaric and incompatible with a civilized society. Slaughterhouse methods are criticized for their lack of compassion and disregard for the suffering of animals. A review in theJournal of Education described the book as a well-written appeal for reform, advocating for vegetarianism as a moral alternative.[5] The book went through at least three editions.[4]
Coville wrote the pamphlet "Carnivorous and Predatory Living Exposed" to expand on her opposition to meat consumption and respond to inquiries fromChristian Scientists. In it, she outlined the moral, health, and ethical reasons for vegetarianism, arguing that consuming animal products was unnecessary and unjustifiable.[4]
Coville taught vegetarian cookery classes at her home, with the intention to help participants transition away from consuming holiday meat, with an emphasis on kindness and moral considerations. Attendees were encouraged to bring friends and spread the message of vegetarianism.[6]
After working in a merchandising brokerage business with her father and teaching music, Hansen decided to resume her formal education at the age of 48.[3] She returned to Syracuse University to study for a science degree, believing that higher education would help her further express her beliefs and ideals.[4] She was also politically active, running as aSocialist Party candidate for county superintendent of the poor, in 1920.[7]
She graduated from theTeacher's College four years later. Following her graduation, she began a career in education, teaching in both public and private schools. In 1924, Hansen moved toLa Jolla, California, where she continued her work in education. During theGreat Depression, she gave away most of her estate to help those in need but also entered the nursing field to provide further assistance.[3] She was also a composer and songwriter.[4]
Though she became less physically active in her later years, Hansen remained devoted to philanthropy. She regularly folded 1,000 sheets of paper into towels for theVisiting Nurses and continued writing. Kappa Kappa Gamma honored her as their oldest member and dedicated their yearbook to her on Founders' Day.[3]
Coville was a close companion of Royal Evaungeal Fox, initially a family friend and later described as his secretary, nanny, and alleged mistress. Her presence in Fox's household caused tension, leading to accusations from his third wife, Jenny, during their legal separation.[7] In 1926, Coville married Rasmus M. Hansen.[8]
Coville died inSan Diego, California on June 5, 1960.[1][9]
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