Thomas Young | |
|---|---|
 First edition title page ofAn Essay on Humanity to Animals (1798) | |
| Baptised | 29 December 1772 Dalston, Cumberland |
| Died | (aged 63) Gilling East, Yorkshire, England |
| Burial place | Holy Cross Church, Gilling |
| Education | |
| Occupations |
|
| Notable work | An Essay on Humanity to Animals (1798) |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 8 |
| Relatives | William Blamire Young (grandson) |
| Religion | Anglicanism |
Offices held | Rector of Gilling East, Yorkshire |
Thomas Young (bapt. 29 December 1772 – 11 November 1835) was an English writer, theologian, educator, andAnglican clergyman. He was educated atTrinity College, Cambridge, where he matriculated as asizar in 1789, became a scholar in 1793, and graduated as the 12thWrangler in theMathematical Tripos of 1794. He was elected a Fellow of Trinity in 1795 and went on to serve as an Assistant Tutor, Tutor, and Senior Dean. In 1813, he was appointed Rector ofGilling East, Yorkshire, a post he held until his death in 1835.
Young wrote aboutanimal ethics, particularly in his 1798 publicationAn Essay on Humanity to Animals. In this work, he usedChristian theology andmoral philosophy to criticisecruelty to animals, arguing that animals possesssentience and should receive humane treatment and the protection of certainnatural rights. He drew on scripture to condemn various common practices involving the abuse of animals and held that moral responsibility extended to non-human creatures. In addition to his writings on animal compassion, Young published sermons and theological tracts addressing doctrines of Christian belief, including the resurrection, righteousness, and prayer.
Thomas Young Jr. was baptised on 29 December 1772 inDalston, Cumberland, the son of Thomas Young ofCumdivock (later of Greensyke), and his wife Rachel (née Bewley).[1][2] Young later attendedHawkshead Grammar School in Lancashire, where he was a contemporary ofWilliam Wordsworth.[3]
Young matriculated atTrinity College, Cambridge in October 1789 as asizar. He became a scholar in 1793 and took hisB.A. in 1794, placing 12th in theMathematical Tripos and being recorded as the 12thWrangler. He proceededM.A. in 1797.[4]
Young was elected a Fellow of Trinity College in 1795. He served as an assistant tutor from 1801 to 1811, tutor from 1811 to 1813, and senior dean from 1806 to 1809.[4]
Young was ordained deacon on 31 May 1801 and priest on 13 June 1802 byGeorge Pretyman (later Tomline),Bishop of Lincoln. In 1813, he was appointed rector ofGilling East, Yorkshire, and held the benefice until his death.[4]
In his 1798 work,An Essay on Humanity to Animals, Young presents a theological argument against animal cruelty. He analyses nine key scriptural references to condemn approximately 15 common forms of cruelty and argues that God values animals, expecting humans to show similar care.[5][6] He asserts that animals are capable of experiencing both pleasure and pain and that they deserve rights based on this.[7][8] While he criticises the mistreatment of animals in activities such as hunting and blood sports, he accepts the practice of scientificvivisection.[9] Young is particularly critical of clergy members who participate inblood sports.[10]
Young published several other theological texts, includingChrist's Resurrection the Cause and Pattern of Ours (1811),Christian Righteousness: A Sermon (1811),Three Sermons on St. Paul's Doctrine (1820), andSeven Sermons on the Lord's Prayer (1827).[11]
Young married Mary Simpson Blamire on 15 August 1814. They had six sons and two daughters. His grandson wasWilliam Blamire Young.[12]
Young died on 11 November 1835, aged 63.[4] He was buried atHoly Cross Church, Gilling,[13] and a memorial to him was installed inside.[14]
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