Elizabeth Horsell (1796 – 12 June 1872) was an English vegetarianism and teetotalism activist, and the author of an early

vegan Veganism is the practice of abstaining from the use of animal product—particularly in diet—and an associated philosophy that rejects the commodity status of animals. An individual who follows the diet or philosophy is known as a vegan. Di ...

cookbook. She was married to the publisher and fellow activist

William Horsell William Horsell (31 March 1807 – 23 December 1863) was an English hydrotherapist, publisher, and temperance and vegetarianism activist. Horsell published the first vegan cookbook in 1849. Biography Horsell was born in Brinkworth, Wiltshire. B ...

, with whom she operated a hydropathic infirmary at Northwood Villa in

Ramsgate Ramsgate is a seaside resort, seaside town in the district of Thanet District, Thanet in east Kent, England. It was one of the great English seaside towns of the 19th century. In 2001 it had a population of about 40,000. In 2011, according to t ...

Biography

Elizabeth Horsell was born in 1796. She was involved in the

temperance movement The temperance movement is a social movement promoting temperance or complete abstinence from consumption of alcoholic beverages. Participants in the movement typically criticize alcohol intoxication or promote teetotalism, and its leaders emph ...

from the 1840s and was invited to give a lecture at Dr John Lee's 'Peace and Temperance Festival'. She took part in vegetarian meetings in London, along with her husband, and gave frequent lectures both inside London, such as at the Talfourd Hotel, and further afield. Horsell moved with her husband to Ramsgate in 1846, where they intended to establish a "hydropathic boarding house". After her husband's death, Horsell continued to take part in the vegetarian movement. She also operated an all-female boarding school, with spaces for vegetarian boarders. Horsell died on 12 June 1872 at Sydenham Cottage, in

Kent Kent is a county in South East England and one of the home counties. It borders Greater London to the north-west, Surrey to the west and East Sussex to the south-west, and Essex to the north across the estuary of the River Thames; it faces ...

Publications

* ''The Penny Domestic Assistant. Being a Guide to Vegetarian Cookery, without the use of Animal Products or Salt; Hints on Domestic Management, Industry, Frugality, and Cleanliness; accompanied with Nature's Bill of Fare, and valuable Statistical Tables'' (London: Horsell, 1850)

References

1796 births 1872 deaths British vegetarianism activists English activists English temperance activists Hydrotherapists Lecturers Vegan cookbook writers Women cookbook writers {{UK-activist-stub