Podcast Victorian Vegetarians

A vivid, witty exploration of Victorian Britain’s vegetarian movement—its radical women leaders, links to feminism and reform, and why meat-free diets were once seen as a threat to empire, power, and progress. Read the article here >>

Editorial Note 

The International Vegetarian Union (IVU) does not promote, support, or endorse anti-vaccination views. Any reference to vaccination debates within this material should be understood solely as a historical fact, reflecting the diversity of opinions that existed within certain segments of the vegetarian movement at specific moments in the past.

Including such references is not an endorsement, but an acknowledgment that the movement has always been plural, heterogeneous, and shaped by its historical context—and that, like all human movements, it has at times made mistakes. Addressing these episodes openly demonstrates a commitment to intellectual honesty rather than ideological purity.

Far from being dogmatic or cult-like, the vegetarian movement—and the IVU in particular—recognizes that ethical progress depends on self-reflection, critical thinking, and the willingness to revise positions in light of scientific evidence. The ability to examine and critique our own history is a strength, not a weakness.

In short, documenting the past is not repeating its errors—it is learning from them.