William Alcott
William Andrus Alcott (1798–1859) wrote many books on the topics of education and health. He was a physician and teacher, and the uncle of American novelist Louisa May Alcott (who lived 1832–1888). He had earned his M.D. degree by May 1836, when he wrote a letter to the editor of the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal titled "The Graham System" (May 4, p. 199-201); he signed it "M.D." The cause of greatest interest to Dr. Alcott throughout his life was vegetarianism.
In 1850 he wrote three long letters on vegetarianism to the editor of the New-York Tribune - at the request of the editor (Aug. 14, Nov. 6). Here he shows clearly that his preference was for a diet that used no animal products - what would today be called a vegan diet.
Dr. Alcott wrote The Phisology of Marriage in 1856. He deplored free courtship manners. He specifically deplored "conversation which is too excitable", "presence of exciting books", "unnecessary heat", and many other courtship practices prevalent in 18th century America but steadily going out of fashion by 1856. He warned young people of the dangers of courtship.
He is criticized by modern day feminists for his "rigidity".[citation needed]
William Alcott was a founding member (in 1850) and the first president of the American Vegetarian Society.[1] He was also the author of The Vegetable Diet As Sanctioned by Medical Men and By Experience in All Ages. He also founded the The American Physiological Society in 1837, the world's first physiological society.[2] He died on March 29, 1859.
Books
- Confessions of a School Master 1839[3]
- The Young Man’s Guide 1834[4][5]
- The Young Woman's Guide[6]
- The Use of Tobacco: Its Physical, Intellectual, and Moral Effects on The Human System 1836[7]
- Vegetable Diet: As Sanctioned by Medical Men, and by Experience in All Ages 1838
- Art of Good Behavior 1848
- The Young Housekeeper 1842[8]
- The Young Mother Or Management Of Children In Regard To Health[9]
- Tea And Coffee: Their Physical, Intellectual And Moral Effect On The Human System And Are They Injurious?
- The Young Mother
- Adventures of Lot, the Nephew of Abraham[10]
- Familiar letters to young men on various subjects.: Designed as a companion to The young man's guide.[11]
- TRUST IN THE LORD; OR THE STORY OF ELIJAH AND THE RAVENS.[12]
- S T O R I E S Of ELIOT AND THE INDIANS.[13]
- Lectures on Life and Health, Or, The Laws and Means of Physical Culture 1853[14]
- The House I Live In The first Anatomy book for the general public.[15]
References
Hyowitz, Carol; Weissman, Michaele: A History of Women In America
- ^ International Vegetarian Union - History of Vegetarianism - American Vegetarian Society
- ^ History of Vegetarianism - William Andrus Alcott (1798–1859)
- ^ Old Sturbridge Village | Explore & Learn | OSV Documents - William Alcott’s First Day as a School Master
- ^ Old Sturbridge Village | Explore & Learn | OSV Documents - Advice on Choosing a Wife
- ^ http://www.nimbus.org/ElectronicTexts/YgMnsGde.1836.html online text
- ^ Project Gutenberg Edition of The Young Woman's Guide
- ^ Use of Tobacco: Physical, Intellectual, Moral Effects on Human System (1836), by Alcott, William A., M.D
- ^ Old Sturbridge Village | Explore & Learn | OSV Documents - The Ward Families and Their "Helps": Domestic Work, Workers, and Relationships on a New England Farm, 1787-1866
- ^ Project Gutenberg Edition of The Young Mother: or, Management of Children in Regard to Health
- ^ Electronic Text of William A Alcott's "The Adventures Of Lot"
- ^ http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=moa;idno=AJF2317 page images
- ^ Elijah the Tishbite - Alcott, Wm A
- ^ Stories of Eliot and the Indians
- ^ google books text
- ^ The Anatomical mission to Burma Sciencemag