Henry John Williams (8 February 1841 – 1 April 1919) was an English Anglican priest, writer, and advocate of Christian vegetarianism. Influenced by his brother Howard Williams, he adopted vegetarianism in 1878 and argued for it as a Christian duty. In 1881, he founded the Order of the Golden Age, a Christian vegetarian organisation. He later took part in its revival in 1895 with Sidney H. Beard and others. He contributed essays to the order's journal, The Herald of the Golden Age. Williams was also honorary president of the Scottish Vegetarian Society and a member of the Humanitarian League's Humane Diet department.
Biography
Early life and education Henry John Williams was born on 8 February 1841 in Whatley, Mendip, Somerset, to Reverend Hamilton John Williams, an Anglican clergyman, and Margaret Sophia (). He was one of seven sons. His brothers included Howard Williams, author of The Ethics of Diet.
Williams matriculated at The Queen's College, Oxford in 1860. He later earned a L.Th. from University College, Durham.
Ecclesiastical career Williams was ordained deacon in 1863 and priest in 1864, both by John Jackson, Bishop of Lincoln. He was rector of Tintern from 1871 to 1873 and of Brympton d'Evercy from 1880 to 1883. From 1889, he served at St Paul's, Kinross.
Christian vegetarianism Williams adopted a vegetarian diet in 1878 after being influenced by his brother Howard. He later published A Plea for a Broken Law, a pamphlet that argued for vegetarianism from a Christian standpoint.
In 1881, Williams founded the Order of the Golden Age, a Christian vegetarian organisation that was formally established in 1882. The order soon ceased operating because of financial difficulties. It was revived in 1895 by Williams, Sidney H. Beard, and others. Williams wrote for the order's journal, The Herald of the Golden Age.
Williams served as honorary president of the Scottish Vegetarian Society. He was also a member of the Humane Diet department of the Humanitarian League, which his brother Howard helped to found.
Personal life and death
On 31 August 1871, Williams married Cecelia Frances D'Arblay Croft at Wavendon, Buckinghamshire. In July 1892, the Court of Session heard an undefended divorce action brought by Williams against his wife, who was reported as living in Canada. The report stated that the couple had no children, had lived together for ten years, and had separated in 1881, with a brief reunion in 1887. The court granted decree.
Williams died on 1 April 1919 in Aspley Guise, aged 78. His obituary, written by his brother Howard, appeared in the May 1919 issue of The Vegetarian Messenger and Health Review.
Publications
See also Christian vegetarianism Christianity and animal rights History of vegetarianism Vegetarianism in the United Kingdom Vegetarianism in the Victorian era
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