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H. S. Bathgate | |
|---|---|
| Born | Henry Shiels Bathgate 7 December 1853 Rutherglen, Lanarkshire, Scotland |
| Died | 26 May 1936 (aged 82) Mount Vernon, Glasgow, Scotland |
| Other names | Harry Bathgate |
| Occupation(s) | Plasterer, activist |
| Known for | Vegetarianism and peace activism |
| Title | President of the Scottish Vegetarian Society |
| Term | 1892–1929 |
| Spouse |
Violet Wilhelmina Gordon Murray
(m. 1882; died 1935) |
| Children | 6 |
Henry Shiels "Harry" Bathgate[1] (7 December 1853 – 26 May 1936) was a Scottish plasterer and activist. He was known for his involvement in the vegetarianism and peace movements. Bathgate served as president of the Scottish Vegetarian Society from 1892 to 1929. He was also a Christian community worker.
Biography
Early life and career
Henry Shiels Bathgate was born on 7 December 1853 in Rutherglen, Lanarkshire, and baptised on 25 December. His parents were Charles Bathgate and Catherine Shiels.[2] He later lived in Mount Vernon, Glasgow, where he became a master plasterer by trade.[3] From 1892 to 1894 Bathgate worked on modifications and enhancements to St. Thomas Wesleyan Methodist Church.[4] In 1916, he helped build the Southern District Fire Station in Glasgow.[5]
Vegetarianism and activism
In 1877, after an illness, Bathgate encountered a newspaper article that introduced him to vegetarianism. He was further influenced by the writings of Dr. T. L. Nichols, a well-known advocate for vegetarianism, particularly Nichols' Vegetarian publication in 1898. Bathgate decided to adopt a vegetarian lifestyle, which he maintained for the rest of his life.[3]
Bathgate contributed significantly to the promotion of vegetarianism in Scotland. In 1889, he became a member of the Vegetarian Society of Glasgow and later emerged as an influential figure within the Scottish vegetarian movement. From 1892 to 1929, he served as the president of the Scottish Vegetarian Society, offering both financial and organisational support to help grow the vegetarian community in Scotland. His efforts were recognised in various publications, such as the Vegetarian, in 1896.[3]
In 1912, writing in The Vegetarian Messenger and Health Review, Bathgate expressed frustration at the considerable difficulty he faced avoiding dairy products because nearly every vegetarian recipe and cookbook recommended including dairy.[6]
Personal life
Bathgate was a lifelong teetotaler and non-smoker.[7] His commitment to personal health and abstention from substances was closely tied to his Christian faith, which played a significant role in shaping his worldview. He was actively involved in peace work and Christian Sabbath school activities.[3]
Bathgate married Violet Wilhelmina Gordon Murray on 29 September 1882 at Dennistoun, Glasgow.[8] They had six children together.[9] His wife died in 1935.[1]
Death
Bathgate died at Woodneuk, Mount Vernon, on 26 May 1936.[1] An obituary was published in The Vegetarian Messenger in July 1936.[3]
References
- ^ a b c "Henry Shiels Bathgate". Scotland, National Probate Index (Calendar of Confirmations and Inventories), 1876-1936. Ancestry.com. 2015. Retrieved 2024-11-23.
- ^ "Henry Shiels Bathgate". Scotland, Select Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950. Ancestry.com. 2014. Retrieved 2024-11-23.
- ^ a b c d e Gregory, James Richard Thomas Elliott (2002). "Biographical Index of British Vegetarians and Food reformers of the Victorian Era". The Vegetarian Movement in Britain c.1840–1901: A Study of Its Development, Personnel and Wider Connections (PDF). Vol. 2. University of Southampton. p. 10. Retrieved 2022-10-02.
- ^ "M078 Additions and alterations to St Thomas Wesleyan Methodist Church". Mackintosh Architecture. University of Glasgow. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
- ^ Kirkwood, Graeme. "B01 South". The History of Scottish Fire Brigades. Retrieved 2024-10-25.
- ^ Leneman, Leah (Winter 1997). "Britain's 1st Vegans?". The Vegan: 11 – via Issuu.
- ^ Gregory, James (2007-06-29). Of Victorians and Vegetarians: The Vegetarian Movement in Nineteenth-century Britain. Bloomsbury Publishing. p. 58. ISBN 978-1-84511-379-7.
- ^ "Henry Bathgate". Scotland's People. Scottish Government. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
- ^ "Harry Bathgate". 1901 Scotland Census. Ancestry.com. 2007. Retrieved 2024-11-23.
