Catherine Smithies (; 1785 – 1877) was an English philanthropist and campaigner for

animal welfare Animal welfare is the well-being of non-human animals. Formal standards of animal welfare vary between contexts, but are debated mostly by animal welfare groups, legislators, and academics. Animal welfare science uses measures such as longevity ...

abolitionism Abolitionism, or the abolitionist movement, is the movement to end slavery. In Western Europe and the Americas, abolitionism was a historic movement that sought to end the Atlantic slave trade and liberate the enslaved people. The Britis ...

and

temperance Temperance may refer to: Moderation *Temperance movement, movement to reduce the amount of alcohol consumed *Temperance (virtue), habitual moderation in the indulgence of a natural appetite or passion Culture *Temperance (group), Canadian danc ...

. She was the creator of the first Band of Mercy, which promoted teaching children kindness towards non-human animals and led to the

Bands of Mercy Bands of Mercy were formal, locally led organizations that brought people—especially children and adolescents—together to learn about kindness to non-human animals. The Bands would also work to help animals and prevent cruelty in their area thr ...

movement.

Biography

In 1812, she married James Smithies at St Peter's Church, Leeds. Her son, Thomas Bywater Smithies, the second of ten children, was born in 1817. After her husband's death, she moved to London to live with Thomas at Earlham Grove House. In the 1860s, Smithies authored ''A Mother's Lessons on Kindness to Animals'', which was published in several volumes. In 1870, along with

Angela Burdett-Coutts Angela Georgina Burdett-Coutts, 1st Baroness Burdett-Coutts (21 April 1814 – 30 December 1906), born Angela Georgina Burdett, was a British philanthropist, the daughter of Sir Francis Burdett, 5th Baronet and Sophia, formerly Coutts, daughte ...

, she founded the Ladies Committee at the

RSPCA The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) is a charity operating in England and Wales that promotes animal welfare. The RSPCA is funded primarily by voluntary donations. Founded in 1824, it is the oldest and largest a ...

. In 1875, she founded the first Band of Mercy. Smithies died in 1877; on her deathbed she stated: "the teaching of children to be kind and merciful to God's lower creatures is preparing the way for the gospel of Christ." She was buried in

Abney Park Cemetery Abney Park cemetery is one of the "Magnificent Seven" cemeteries in London, England. Abney Park in Stoke Newington in the London Borough of Hackney is a historic parkland originally laid out in the early 18th century by Lady Mary Abney, D ...

in Stoke Newington, with her son Thomas (who died in 1883). A guard of honor was formed by uniformed RSPCA officers at her funeral. After her death, Smithies was memorialised by Thomas, in issue number 281 of '' The British Workman''. Smithies' family and friends erected an obelisk and public drinking fountain in Wood Green, London as a memorial.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Smithies, Catherine 1785 births 1877 deaths British animal welfare workers Burials at Abney Park Cemetery English abolitionists English philanthropists English reformers English temperance activists English women activists Organization founders Women of the Victorian era