John Lawrence (writer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Lawrence
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Portrait of John Lawrence, 1832
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| Born | 22 January 1753 Colchester, England
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| Died | 17 January 1839 (aged 85) Peckham, England
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| Occupation | Writer |
| Spouse(s) |
Ann Barton
(m. 1783) |
| Children | 6 |
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John Lawrence (born January 22, 1753 – died January 17, 1839) was an English writer. He wrote about farming and government. He was also one of the first people to speak up for treating animals kindly and giving them rights.
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Early Life and Interests
John Lawrence was born on January 22, 1753, near Colchester, England. His family were brewers, which means they made beer. When he was 10, his father passed away. Later, John used money he inherited to buy a farm.
At just 15 years old, he wrote an essay for school about being kind to animals. His first writings were about politics. He admired the French Revolution, which was a big change in France. He also supported the idea of human rights.
Speaking Up for Animal Rights
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In 1796, Lawrence published a very important book. It was called A Philosophical and Practical Treatise on Horses and on the Moral Duties of Man towards the Brute Creation. In this book, he talked about how humans should treat animals.
He wrote more books where he suggested that animals raised for food should be killed without pain. These books included New Farmer's Calendar (1800) and The Modern Land Steward (1801). In 1805, a dictionary for animal doctors (veterinarians) praised Lawrence's ideas about animal rights.
Lawrence also wrote about "sporting ethics" in his 1818 book, British Field Sports. This meant he thought there should be rules for how animals are treated during sports like hunting.
He even helped a politician named Richard Martin. Martin was working on a law to protect animals from cruel treatment. This law, passed in 1822, was one of the first laws ever made to protect animal welfare.
Lawrence was seen as an expert on horses during his time. His book History of the Horse was printed 14 times while he was alive. He also wrote regularly for magazines like The Sporting Magazine.
After some time, people didn't talk about Lawrence as much. But later, in 1879, his ideas about animal rights were shared again by Edward Nicholson. Another writer, Henry Stephens Salt, also quoted Lawrence a lot in his 1894 book, Animals' Rights: Considered in Relation to Social Progress.
Lawrence's Important Words
John Lawrence believed that animals have rights. In his 1796 book about horses, he wrote that humans have a duty to animals. He said we must give them "good and sufficient nourishment, comfortable shelter, and merciful treatment." He also believed we should not hurt their feelings while they are alive. And if they must be killed, it should be done quickly and with the least pain.
Lawrence was one of the first people to ask for laws to protect animals. He suggested that the government should officially recognize the "Rights of Beasts." He wanted a law to protect animals from cruel acts, whether by their owners or others.
Family Life and Passing
John Lawrence lived in different places during his life. He spent time near his farm in Bury St. Edmunds. He also lived in London, in areas like Lambeth Marsh and Somers Town. Towards the end of his life, he lived in Peckham, which was just outside London back then.
Around 1783, Lawrence married Ann Barton. They had six children together: one son and five daughters. Only his youngest daughter had children of her own.
John Lawrence passed away from the flu on January 17, 1839. He was buried in Norwood.
Selected Works
John Lawrence wrote many books and articles. Here are some of his notable works:
- The Patriot's Calendar (1794-1796)
- A Philosophical and Practical Treatise on Horses and on the Moral Duties of Man Towards the Brute Creation (1796-1798)
- The New Farmer's Calendar (1800)
- The Modern Land Steward (1801)
- A General Treatise on Cattle (1806)
- The History and Delineation of the Horse in all his Varieties (1809)
- British Field Sports (1818)
- The Horse in all his Varieties and Uses (1829)
