Lewis Gompertz

Lewis Gompertz (1783/84 – 2 December 1861) was a prominent British animal rights advocate and a founding member of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), now known as the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA). He was also an inventor and a prolific author, known for his works on both animal rights and mechanical inventions.

Early Life and Education

Gompertz was born in London, England, into a Jewish family. Little is known about his early life and education, but it is believed that he was largely self-taught.

Career

Gompertz began his career as an inventor, designing a variety of machines and devices. His inventions included an early form of the expanding chuck, a device used in lathes for holding workpieces, and a type of windlass, a lifting device.

In 1824, Gompertz became one of the founding members of the SPCA. He served as the society's vice president and was instrumental in shaping its early policies and direction. However, he was forced to resign in 1832 due to anti-Semitic sentiments among the society's leadership.

Despite this setback, Gompertz continued to advocate for animal rights. He wrote several books on the subject, including Moral Inquiries on the Situation of Man and of Brutes (1824), which is considered one of the first philosophical treatises on animal rights.

Legacy

Gompertz's contributions to animal rights have had a lasting impact. His writings helped to shape the early animal rights movement and continue to be influential today. His work with the SPCA laid the groundwork for the modern animal welfare movement.

See Also

• History of animal rights
• Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
• Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

References

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