William Brown (veterinarian)

William Brown JP
Brown with his dog Taffy in 1919
Born	September 1861 North Shields, Northumberland, England
Died	27 September 1931 (aged 70) Welwyn Garden City, England
Resting place	Golders Green Crematorium
Occupation(s)	Veterinarian, activist
Spouse	Emily Strip ​ (m. 1888)​
Children	2
Relatives	Elfrida Vipont (niece)

William Brown JP (September 1861 – 27 September 1931) was an English veterinarian, anti-vivisectionist, and advocate for animal rights, temperance, and peace. A prominent Quaker, he was actively engaged in religious, social, and political work throughout his life.

Biography

Early life

William Brown was born in September 1861 in North Shields, Northumberland, to Charles Brown. His brother was Dr. E. Vipont Brown of Manchester.

Career

Brown was a veterinary surgeon for a number of years at Wiveliscombe. While there, he contributed to the welfare of the town and its residents. He regularly attended local courts and was deeply involved in politics. He was also a justice of the peace of Somerset. In 1910, Brown was elected president of the Taunton and District Free Church Council.

Brown was a prominent member of the Society of Friends in the West of England. During the First World War, he was an active Quaker chaplain for conscientious objectors.

Activism

Brown was active worker for political organisations and the peace movements. He travelled around the country lecturing on anti-vivisection, peace, and temperance. In 1905, in association with the Friends' Anti-Vivisection Association, he delivered a lecture on animal rights, arguing that animals have the right to be protected from suffering.

Initially a supporter of the Liberal Party, Brown assisted candidates in the West Somerset constituency. Later, he became a Labour sympathiser, helping James Lunnon in his campaign against Sir Arthur Griffith-Boscawen.

Later life

Brown retired from veterinary practice around 1925 and moved to Tottenham to undertake Quaker social work.

Personal life and death

Brown was a vegetarian. He married Emily Stripp in 1888. They had two sons, Edgar and William. One of their sons was later the editor of the The Veterinary Journal.

Brown died from heart failure in his sleep on 27 September 1931. He had celebrated his 70th birthday that month and was attending a Quaker conference at Welwyn Garden City. He was cremated at Golders Green Crematorium. A memorial was held at Friends House on Euston Road.

Publications

• Our Lesser Brethren (London: Headley Brothers, 1919)