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James Simpson (Bible Christian)

From Wikipedia - Reading time: 9 min

For other people named James Simpson, see James Simpson (disambiguation).
The Reverend
James Simpson
JP
A detailed black-and-white engraving of a man with a beard and neatly combed hair.
Portrait from Fifty Years of Food Reform (1898)
Born(1812-07-09)9 July 1812
Clitheroe, Lancashire, England
Died3 September 1859(1859-09-03) (aged 47)
Foxhill Bank, near Accrington, Lancashire, England
Burial placeSt James' Church, Church Kirk, Lancashire, England
Occupation(s)Deacon, activist
Known forVegetarianism activism
TitlePresident of the Vegetarian Society
Term1847–1849
SuccessorWilliam Harvey[1]
Spouse
Hannah Harvey
​
(m. 1843)​
Children2
RelativesWilliam Harvey (father-in-law)

James Simpson JP (9 July 1812 – 2 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 co-founded and served as the first President of the Vegetarian Society.

Biography

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Early life and education

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James Simpson Jr. was born on 9 July 1812, in Clitheroe, Lancashire.[2] He was the son of James Simpson Sr.,[3] a wealthy calico printer.[4] Soon after his birth, his family moved to Foxhill Bank, near Accrington.[2] His family were members of the Bible Christian Church.[5]: 106 

Simpson was educated by Rev. W. Wood at Hybrake House, Altham.[6] He also received a private education in London and Berlin, 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]

Career

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Actively engaged in public life, Simpson supported diverse social and political reforms. A member of the Anti-Corn Law League, he was also involved in the temperance movement during a time when such a choice was uncommon.[7] He served as Vice-President of the United Kingdom Alliance. Additionally, he was a prominent member of the Lancashire Liberal Party.[5]: 106  He was also a justice of the peace for the county palatine of Lancaster.[8]

Embracing the tenets of the Bible Christian Church and influenced by Swedenborg, Simpson maintained a lifelong commitment to vegetarianism, instilled by his mother.[7] He served as a deacon of the Church.[9]

Simpson helped form and was elected the first president of the Vegetarian Society in 1847.[10] His travels abroad led to the establishment of international vegetarian societies.[11] He also anonymously published two works on vegetarianism.[5]: 106 

Personal life and death

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Simpson married Hannah Harvey in 1843.[4] They had two children.[6] His father-in-law was William Harvey, who was Mayor of Salford from 1857 to 1859 and a prominent Bible Christian.[12]

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 at St James' Church, Church Kirk.[13] A 30 feet (9.1 m) high memorial obelisk was erected there.[5]: 106 

Legacy

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One of Simpson's lectures on vegetarianism inspired T. Anderson Hanson to become a vegetarian.[5]: 52 

Selected publications

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References

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  1. ^ Antrobus, Derek. "History of Vegetarianism - William Harvey (1789-1870)". International Vegetarian Union. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Couling, Samuel (1862). "Simpson, James". History of the Temperance Movement in Great Britain and Ireland: From the Earliest Date to the Present Time. London: W. Tweedie. p. 349.
  3. ^ "Biography: Mary Rostron". Weaste Cemetery Heritage Trail. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Biography: Mary Harvey". Weaste Cemetery Heritage Trail. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d e Gregory, James Richard Thomas Elliott (2002). "Biographical Index of British Vegetarians and Food reformers of the Victorian Era". The Vegetarian Movement in Britain c.1840–1901: A Study of Its Development, Personnel and Wider Connections (PDF). Vol. 2. University of Southampton. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  6. ^ a b c "Interment of the Remains of the Late Mr. Simpson". The Weekly Standard and Express. 14 September 1859. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com (subscription required).
  7. ^ a b "The Vegetarian Movement in England 1847-1981". International Vegetarian Union. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  8. ^ a b "Died". Stockport Advertiser. 9 September 1859. p. 3. Retrieved 25 January 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "The Bible Christian Church (1809-1930)". International Vegetarian Union. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
  10. ^ "History". Vegetarian Society. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  11. ^ "Veggie revolution was led by the North". Lancashire Telegraph. 8 January 1998. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
  12. ^ "Biography: Mary Rostron". Weaste Cemetery Heritage Trail. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  13. ^ "Burials at St James in the Parish of Church Kirk". Lancashire OnLine Parish Clerk Project. Retrieved 18 January 2024.
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