James Simpson (Bible Christian)

James Simpson (9 July 1812 – 3 September 1859) was a Bible Christian deacon and activist for a number of causes. He was active in the vegetarianism, temperance, anti-tobacco, anti-Corn Law and peace movements. Simpson helped found and was the first president of the Vegetarian Society.

Biography
James Simpson was born on 9 July 1812, in Clitheroe, Lancashire, the son of James Simpson Sr., a wealthy calico printer. He was educated by Rev. W. Wood at Hybrake House, Altham, and received a private education in London and Berlin. Simpson married Hannah Harvey in 1843; they had two children.

Actively engaged in public life, he supported diverse social and political reforms. A member of the Anti-Corn Law League, Simpson also joined the teetotal movement during a time when such a choice was uncommon. Embracing the tenets of Bible Christianity and influenced by Swedenborg, he maintained a lifelong commitment to vegetarianism, instilled by his mother. He helped form and was elected the first president of the Vegetarian Society in 1847. His travels abroad led to the establishment of international vegetarian societies.

Simpson died on 3 September 1859, at the age of 47; he was living in Foxhill Bank, Accrington, and suffered from a long illness for 18 months. He was buried at St James' Church, Church Kirk.