Ernest Bell (animal rights activist)

Ernest Bell (8 March 1851 – 14 September 1933) was an English author and publisher, animal rights activist, humanitarian and vegetarian.[1]

For the pastoralist and politician, see Ernest Bell.
Ernest Bell
Born8 March 1851
Hampstead, England
Died14 September 1933 (1933-09-15) (aged 82)
Hendon, England
Alma materTrinity College, Cambridge
OccupationAnimal rights activist, publisher, writer
Spouse(s)
Marie Ann Taysen (m. 1893)

Biography

Bell was born in Hampstead. He was educated at St Paul's School, London and graduated from Trinity College, Cambridge in 1873.[2] His father was the publisher George Bell. He was involved with George Bell & Sons and in 1926 became chairman of the board of directors.[2]

Bell joined the RSPCA in 1873. He became a member of the Vegetarian Society and was elected a Vice-President in 1896 and was President from 1914.[2] He was for thirty years the Honorary Secretary of Hampstead Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. He was also the Chairman of the Committee of the Anti-Vivisection Society and of the National Anti-Vivisection Society.[2] Bell was a friend of Henry S. Salt and was Chairman of the Humanitarian League.[2] He spent much time on the "administration and fund-raising for three main reform causes: vegetarianism, humanitarianism, and animal welfare."[3] He was also a close friend of fellow animal campaigner Jessey Wade, who worked for him as his secretary until his death.[4]

Bell wrote the Preface for E. W. Bowdich's vegetarian cookbook New Vegetarian Dishes, in 1893.[5] He was the editor of the Animals Life Readers, a series of books and edited the journal Animals' Friend.[2] He married Marie Ann Taysen in 1893.[2] Bell founded the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) in 1924 with Henry Amos.[6] He was also involved with the Anti-Bearing Rein Association, National Canine Defence League (now Dogs Trust) and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.[6]

Bell died in Hendon in 1933, at the age of 82.[7]

Legacy

An Ernest Bell Memorial Library to preserve Bell's writings was proposed by Henry S. Salt in 1934 and was established by the executive of the Vegetarian Society in 1936. The library has more than 1,500 books, journals, magazines and newspapers.[8]

Contributions to animal organisations
Ernest Bell freeing a caged bird c. 1902
  • Humanitarian League (Chairman and treasurer for over 20 years)
  • Vegetarian Society (Vice-President 1896–1914; President 1914–1933)
  • London Vegetarian Society (Chairman of Committee)
  • Performing and Captive Animals' Defence League (co-founder)
  • National Society for the Abolition of Cruel Sports (co-founder)
  • League for the Prohibition of Cruel Sports (now known as the League Against Cruel Sports; co-founder and Hon. Treasurer)
  • Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (Council member)
  • Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Hon. Secretary of the Hampstead branch for 30 years)
  • Pit Ponies' Protection Society (Treasurer)
  • Cats Protection League (now known as Cats Protection; Treasurer)
  • National Anti-Vivisection Society (Chairman)
  • National Canine Defence League (now known as the Dogs Trust; Council member)
  • National Equine Defence League (Treasurer)
  • Anti-Bearing Rein Association (Hon. Secretary)[4][9]

Selected publications

References
  1. "Bell, Ernest (1851–1933), publisher and animal welfare campaigner". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/9780198614128.001.0001/odnb-9780198614128-e-40996. Retrieved 2020-06-25.
  2. "Ernest Bell, President of the Vegetarian Society". The Vegetarian Messenger and Health Review, October 1933.
  3. Allen, Daniel; Watkins, Charles; Matless, David. (2016). ‘An incredibly vile sport’: campaigns against otter hunting in Britain, 1900–39. Rural History 27 (1): 79-101.
  4. Edmundson, John (2013-11-14). "The Brown Linties by Jessey Wade". HappyCow. Retrieved 2020-06-28.
  5. Bowdich, E. W. (1893). New Vegetarian Dishes. George Bell & Sons.
  6. May, Allyson N. (2016). The Fox-Hunting Controversy, 1781–2004: Class and Cruelty. Routledge. p. 73. ISBN 978-1-4094-4220-2
  7. "Ernest Bell, President of the Vegetarian Society". Henry S. Salt Society. Retrieved 2019-10-24.
  8. "Ernest Bell Library". Henry S. Salt Society. Retrieved 2019-10-24.
  9. "Ernest Bell". Henry S. Salt Society. Retrieved 2020-06-28.

Further reading
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