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William Harrison (vegetarian)

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William Harrison
Portrait from Fifty Years of Food Reform (1898)
Born
Downham, Lancashire, England
Baptised1 May 1836
Died15 July 1914(1914-07-15) (aged 78)
Manchester, England
Occupations
  • Industrialist
  • activist
  • writer
Known forContributions to knitting industry and vegetarianism activism
SpouseHannah Bussey
RelativesAlbert Broadbent (son-in-law)

William Harrison (bapt. 1 May 1836 – 15 July 1914) was an English industrialist, activist, and writer. He owned a prominent knitting firm and was known for his contributions to the knitting industry. Harrison was an advocate of vegetarianism and was treasurer to the Manchester Vegetarian Society from 1891 until his death. He was also associated with the Theistic Church in London and Bible Christian Church in Salford.

Biography

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Early life

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William Harrison was born in Downham, Lancashire, and baptised on 1 May 1836 at St Leonard's Church. He was the son of William and Mary Harrison. His father worked as a butcher.[1]

Career

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Harrison built his success from humble beginnings, arriving in Manchester in his youth with just 4¾d (fourpence three farthings) to his name.[2] In 1856, he established the Harrison Patent Knitting Machine Company.[3] The company published the first documented black-and-white photographic advertisements in 1887, featured in The Parrot.[3][4] In 1894, the company was incorporated, and in 1908, the company was awarded the Grand Prix gold medal at the Franco-British exhibition.[3]

Harrison was known for his progressive approach to employee relations, treating workers as equals. As part of this ethos, he provided an organ for the employees' use, fostering a harmonious work environment where the female staff often concluded their day with music and singing.[5]

Vegetarianism activism

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Harrison at a London Vegetarian Society meeting in 1891, back row, third from the right; his wife sits in the centre

Harrison adopted vegetarianism in 1878, claiming it significantly improved his health, particularly alleviating severe bronchitis and other ailments. Inspired by this transformation, he devoted himself to promoting vegetarianism and joined the Executive of the Vegetarian Society in 1882.[6]

Harrison, initially associated with temperance and philanthropic organisations, developed a notable aptitude for public speaking. Even with potential shortcomings as an orator, his earnestness and sincerity significantly contributed to the widespread appeal of his addresses.[6]

Despite resistance from some members of the society, he advocated for establishing a vegetarian restaurant to demonstrate the diet's practical and charitable benefits. He proposed that any profits from the restaurant be used to fund meals for the poor in London and other cities. Harrison played a key role in forming a consultative and cooperative committee in London to oversee the project.[6]

From 1891, until his death. Harrison served as treasurer of the Manchester Vegetarian Society. Harrison was also great reader and wrote extensively on vegetarianism for many years. Several of his writings were published separately and others appeared in magazines.[7] Additionally, he was the proprietor of vegetarian restaurants.[2]

In September 1901, Harrison, along with other English delegates, attended the Vegetarian St. Louis International Congress during the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. The group was hosted by vegetarian societies in Philadelphia and New York.[8] In August 1908, Harrison attended the International Vegetarian Congress at Dresden.[9]

Personal life and death

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Harrison by Lafayette

Harrison's wife, Hannah (née Bussey), was born in Norwich in 1840. A committed vegetarian, she extended her beliefs to her work, training employees in vegetarian cookery.[5] A member of the Vegetarian Society since 1884, she undertook cooking demonstrations in Manchester and authored influential papers, including Hints to Housewives and Caterers and Woman's Mission in Vegetarianism.[6]

Albert Broadbent, a fellow vegetarianism activist, was Harrison's son-in-law, and was married to his daughter Christina.[10]

Harrison was prominently connected with the Theistic Church in London,[7] as well as the Bible Christian Church in Salford.[5]

Harrison died on 15 July 1914 at his home in Plymouth Grove, Manchester, aged 78.[7] A service was held at the Manchester Crematorium on 16 July and was widely attended by family, over 50 employees from his firm, and representatives from various vegetarian and temperance organisations.[11]

Selected publications

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  • A Voice That Speaks to Preachers of Righteousness: The Rev. John Wesley a Vegetarian (Manchester Vegetarian Society: 1903)[12]
  • Bible Testimony Against Flesh Eating (Manchester Vegetarian Society: 1907)[13]

References

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  1. ^ "Baptisms at St Leonard in the Parish of Downham". The Parish of Downham. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
  2. ^ a b "Social and Personal". The Journal. 1914-07-21. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com (subscription required).
  3. ^ a b c "Harrison Patent Knitting Machine Co". Grace's Guide. 2021-05-04. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
  4. ^ Sale, Jonathan (2002-10-06). "The first colour advert". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
  5. ^ a b c 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. p. 104. Retrieved 2022-10-02.
  6. ^ a b c d Forward, Charles W. (1898). Fifty Years of Food Reform. London: Ideal Publishing Union. pp. 97–99 – via Internet Archive.
  7. ^ a b c "Manchester Vegetarian's Death". Manchester Evening News. 1914-07-16. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com (subscription required).
  8. ^ The Maintenance Committee (1917). History of the Philadelphia Bible-Christian Church: From 1817 to 1917. Philadelphia: J. P. Lippincott Company. p. 185 – via Internet Archive.
  9. ^ "The Vegetarian Society (UK) and IVU, 1907-1913". International Vegetarian Union. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
  10. ^ "Broadbent, Albert". Who Was Who: A Companion to "Who's Who" Containing the Biographies of Those Who Died During the Period 1897-1916. London: A & C Black. 1920. p. 89. Retrieved 2024-01-13 – via HathiTrust.
  11. ^ "The Late Mr William Harrison". The Guardian. 1914-07-20. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com (subscription required).
  12. ^ A voice that speaks to preachers of righteousness : the Rev. John Wesley a vegetarian : no flesh--no tobacco cures 98 drunkards : the sermon of the wolf. Manchester Vegetarian Society. 1903. OCLC 52507100.
  13. ^ "The Vegetarian Movement in England 1847-1981: Bibliography". International Vegetarian Union. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
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