What Convinced You?

The Ernest Bell Library’s 1964 copy of Animal Machines.

What convinced you to change to vegan?

A review of this book, Animal Machines by Ruth Harrison, pictured above, convinced the remarkable vegan pioneer Kathleen Jannaway.

Quotes from a 2003 article by Harry Mather and Malcolm Horne, remembering Kathleen Jannaway – http://www.veganviews.org.uk/vv96/vv96jannaway.html

In 1964, Kathleen read a review of the book ‘Animal Machines’ by Ruth Harrison which revealed the cruel farming conditions of battery cages for hens and narrow crates for veal calves. She then made the connection between milk production and the need to slaughter superfluous male calves. At once she became a vegan. In 1971, having raised three children, she took over as secretary of The Vegan Society and dedicated her mind and her energy to the vegan cause. 

Kathleen then spent almost 40 years explaining veganism to others.

She was tireless in speaking to groups, holding stalls, and was always available to individuals, encouraging and supporting them. Her talks and articles in The Vegan magazine were an inspiration, based on facts as well as sentiment, covering scientific and ecological aspects but still with a strong moral outlook. She loved to quote a scientist who said, after listening to her talk, “Of course, you’re right, Kathleen. But you’re a little extreme!” For her, following the right path was the only way forward and her scientific arguments were strong. She was always quoting from scientific journals in support of her case.

Besides editing and contributing to The Vegan magazine, she produced many booklets: Pioneers of a New Age – the reminiscences of twelve early vegans, Vegan Mothers and Children by ten vegan mothers, First Hand First Rate – 60 simple recipes and ideas for economical healthy living on plant products most of which can be home grown, Introduction to Practical Veganism, The Why and How of Veganism – personal experiences, The Second Population Explosion, The Health of Vegans and many more leaflets.

Her routine was to deal with the day’s mail and then spend some hours with Jack in their large garden, where they grew fruit and vegetables on vegan organic principles. Over more than 15 years they proved that soil fertility could be maintained without using animal products, pesticides or outside fertilisers, but using techniques of composting, green manuring and crop rotation. She claimed that without too many hours working, a middle aged couple could be largely self-sufficient on less than half an acre. Yearly Garden Parties on their lawn became a welcome meeting ground for vegans before the current Vegan Camps and Summer Gatherings were established.

Kathleen & friends presenting veganism on national TV in the UK, 40 years ago – here.

Kathleen helping others to change, with her letters on veganism – here.

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The Ernest Bell Library’s primary objectives are to: –

• Collect all of Ernest Bell’s book & non-book works and make them easily accessible to everyone.

• Collect the literature of vegetarianism and all the other humanitarian movements in which Ernest Bell was so deeply involved.

• Assist students and scholars in their research.

• Introduce all aspects of Ernest Bell’s life, including his writings, campaign work, influences and his circle of friends.

• Undertake our own research into missing aspects of Ernest Bell’s life and work.

We already have more than 300 pieces of Ernest Bell’s own writings.

We are also actively building a collection of examples of promotional material, campaign material, fundraising & marketing activities etc. – related to: –

1. veg(etari)an products.

2. veg(etari)an books & other publications.

3. veg(etari)an organisations.

4. veg(etari)an businesses.

5. animal rights organisations.

6. animal rights publications.

7. humanitarian organisations.

8. humanitarian publications.

9. rambling clubs run by members of the above groups & related publications.

10. the work of Richard St. Barbe Baker & the ‘Men of the Trees’ organization & its many sub-branches

There are currently more than 2,000 items in the Ernest Bell Library.

We will complete the cataloging of the collection as & when adequate funds are available.

It is long past time for the library to go online!

 “I have little doubt that the proposal for the establishment of an Ernest Bell Library, which would specialize in humanitarian and progressive literature, and so form a sort of centre for students, will meet with a wide response.” 

Henry S. Salt – writing in September 1934

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If anyone would like more information, please send an email to: – 

humanitarianleague (at) outlook (dot) com 

– or message me  through HappyCow – 

https://www.happycow.net/blog/author/JohnnySensible/

 

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