Frederick Towgood

Frederick Towgood (5 October 1807 – 27 June 1860) was an English writer, reformer and advocate for phrenology, temperance and vegetarianism.

Life and career
Frederick Towgood was born on 5 October 1807 in Little Paxton, Huntingdonshire. Little is known about his background, except that he had a commercial background in stationery until his retirement, after which he devoted his money and time to various reform movements. He was an associate of William Horsell and Jabez Inwards.

Towgood had interests in phrenology, mesmerism, homeopathy, hydropathy, and physiology. He served as president of the Anthropological Society and treasurer of the newly formed London Phrenological Society in 1856. He lectured on phrenology at Camden Hall in 1855 and contributed articles on the subject. Towgood was the first treasurer of the London Band of Hope Union from 1855 and served as president of the London Vegetarian Association until his resignation in 1857. He was also a co-editor of the Journal of Health in 1850.

Towgood was an admirer of the Unitarian preacher William Ellery Channing and traveled around the world, including to America.

Towgood married Ann Napier in 1856. He died in Huntingdon on 27 June 1860.

Selected publications
Towgood authored various works under different pseudonyms. These include:
 * (Anonymous) Original Views on Diet with Rules of Health and Longevity Intended for All Classes of Society with Remarks Addressed to Consumptive Patients of the Water Cure as Practised by Vincent Priessnitz of Graefenberg, Silesia, by One of Nature's School (1849)
 * As 'Omega,' The Coming Times (1852)
 * Christian Precepts
 * As 'Redivivus,' A Sign and Warning (1852)
 * Voices of the Sages, the Times, and the Ages; or, Historical Gleanings; Teaching the Way to Attain Health and Longevity, Virtue and Happiness, and Avoid Disease and Early Death, Crime and Misery (c. 1854)
 * Anthropology; or, the Science of Human Nature Part I (A treatise on physiology and digestion, recommended by the Weekly Despatch, 22 March 1856, p. 6)
 * Life and Character of Sylvester Graham (c. 1860)