Donald Watson

Donald Watson (pronounced: don-uhld wat-suhn) was a British animal rights advocate and a prominent figure in the veganism movement. He was born on September 2, 1910, and died on November 16, 2005. Watson is best known for coining the term "vegan" and founding The Vegan Society.

Etymology

The term "vegan" was derived by Watson from the first three and last two letters of 'vegetarian' in 1944. He wanted a word that would be a complete break from any form of exploitation of animals, and thus, "vegan" was born.

Early Life

Donald Watson was born in Mexborough, Yorkshire, England. He was raised in a meat-eating family but decided to become a vegetarian at the age of 14 after witnessing the slaughter of a pig. This decision marked the beginning of his journey towards veganism.

Career

In November 1944, Watson and his wife, Dorothy Morgan, along with four friends, founded The Vegan Society. The society aimed to promote and support the vegan lifestyle, which abstains from the use of all animal products. Watson served as the society's president until 1972 and remained an active member until his death.

Legacy

Donald Watson's contribution to the vegan movement has had a profound impact on society. His philosophy has influenced a growing number of people to adopt a vegan lifestyle for ethical, environmental, and health reasons. Today, The Vegan Society continues to promote veganism worldwide.

Related Terms

• Vegetarianism
• Animal rights
• Ethics
• Environment
• Health

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Donald Watson
• Wikipedia's article - Donald Watson

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