James Simpson | |
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Born | Clitheroe, Lancashire, England | 9 July 1812
Died | 3 September 1859 Accrington, Lancashire, England | (aged 47)
Occupation(s) | Deacon, activist |
Known for | Co-founding and serving as the first president of the Vegetarian Society |
Spouse |
Hannah Harvey (m. 1843) |
Children | 2 |
James Simpson (9 July 1812 – 3 September 1859) was a Bible Christian deacon and activist for a number of causes. He was active in the vegetarianism, temperance, anti-tobacco, anti-Corn Law and peace movements. Simpson helped found and was the first president of the Vegetarian Society.
James Simpson was born on 9 July 1812,[1] in Clitheroe, Lancashire, the son of James Simpson Sr.,[2] a wealthy calico printer.[3] He was educated by Rev W. Wood at Hybrake House, Altham,[4] and received a private education in London and Berlin.[5] Simpson married Hannah Harvey in 1843;[3] they had two children.[4]
Actively engaged in public life, he supported diverse social and political reforms. A member of the Anti-Corn Law League, Simpson also joined the teetotal movement during a time when such a choice was uncommon. Embracing the tenets of Bible Christianity and influenced by Swedenborg, he maintained a lifelong commitment to vegetarianism, instilled by his mother.[5] He helped form and was elected the first president of the Vegetarian Society in 1847.[6] His travels abroad led to the establishment of international vegetarian societies.[7]
Simpson died on 3 September 1859, at the age of 47;[3] he was living in Foxhill Bank, Accrington, and suffered from a long illness for 18 months.[4] Simpson was buried at St James' Church, Church Kirk.[8]