Donald Watson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Donald Watson
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Donald Watson reading the first issue of The Vegan
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| Born | 2 September 1910 Mexborough, Yorkshire, UK
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| Died | 16 November 2005 (aged 95) |
| Occupation | Woodwork teacher |
| Known for | Co-founding The Vegan Society |
| Spouse(s) |
Dorothy Morgan
(m. 1946) |
| Children | 1 |
Donald Watson (born September 2, 1910 – died November 16, 2005) was an English person who cared deeply about animal rights. He is famous for helping to start The Vegan Society.
Contents
Donald Watson's Early Life
Donald Watson was born in Mexborough, Yorkshire, in the UK. His father was a headmaster, which means he was the principal of a school in a mining town. When Donald was a child, he often visited his uncle George's farm.
One day, he saw a pig being slaughtered on the farm. This event deeply upset him. He later said that this experience made him think differently about eating meat.
Becoming a Vegetarian
In 1924, when Donald was 14 years old, he decided to become a vegetarian. He made a New Year's promise to himself to never eat meat again. About 18 years later, he learned more about how milk and other dairy products are made. He realized that this process also involved harming animals. Because of this, he decided to stop eating dairy products too.
Donald Watson's Teaching Career
After leaving school at 15, Donald Watson started training at a family business that made things from wood. He became a teacher of joinery (working with wood) when he was 20. He taught in Leicester, where he was also very active in the local Vegetarian Society.
Later, he moved to Keswick and taught there for 23 years. He lived in the beautiful Lake District area for the rest of his life. For many years, he enjoyed leading guided walks in the hills, called fell-walking. He also spent a lot of time doing organic vegetable gardening, growing food without harmful chemicals. He continued these activities almost until he passed away in 2005.
The Start of Veganism and The Vegan Society
As Donald Watson grew up, he chose a very healthy lifestyle. He avoided any foods or substances he thought were unhealthy. In the 1940s, after learning about milk production, he decided to become a vegan.
Some people at the time thought he could not live a healthy life on a vegan diet. In November 1944, in Leicester, Donald and his wife, Dorothy, along with four friends, started The Vegan Society. These friends included Elsie Shrigley and Mr. and Mrs. Henderson.
Why The Vegan Society Was Formed
They decided to create their own group because the London Vegetarian Society did not support veganism. The London Vegetarian Society thought veganism was too extreme. Donald Watson and his friends felt they needed a new word to describe their way of life. Donald Watson and his future wife, Dorothy Morgan, created the word 'vegan' in 1944. They took the first three and last two letters from the word 'vegetarian'.
Watson and The Vegan Society launched their first newsletter, called The Vegan News, in 1944. Donald Watson managed the newsletter by himself for two years. He wrote and copied the newsletters and answered many letters from people interested in veganism.
Donald Watson believed that veganism meant avoiding any harm to living creatures. He was also a pacifist his whole life, meaning he believed in solving problems peacefully without war. During World War II, he officially registered as a conscientious objector, which meant he refused to fight in the war because of his strong beliefs.
Donald Watson's Personal Life
Donald Watson had several hobbies he enjoyed. He liked cycling, taking photographs, and playing the violin. Even though he didn't support any specific political party, he was always very interested in political issues. He was an agnostic, which means he believed that it's not possible to know for sure if God exists.
Both his brother and sister also became vegans. All three Watson siblings chose to be conscientious objectors during World War II. Donald Watson and his wife, Dorothy, had one child, a daughter named Janet.
Remembering Donald Watson
In November 2019, a special blue plaque was put up to honor Donald Watson. It was placed at his old school, Doncaster Road School, in Mexborough, South Yorkshire. The Mexborough and District Heritage Society organized this plaque. Donald Watson's nephew, Dr. Tim Cook, unveiled it. This happened on the 75th anniversary of The Vegan Society's founding. Donald Watson's funeral was held at St Kentigern's Church, Crosthwaite, and he is buried in its cemetery.
See also
- List of animal rights advocates
