 | Vegetarian and veganism may look trendy now, but it’s hardly a new fad. There have been many examples of vegetarians throughout history. In fact, some of the most brilliant thinkers going decades and even centuries back stuck to a strict, no meat diet. It might surprise you to learn how many vegetarian historical figures there are. |
Plato
Many of the ancient philosophers were vegetarian. Pythagoras is credited as the first philosopher in the West to create a lasting vegetarian legacy. Plato and Socrates asserted that the ideal city was a vegetarian city. He believed that meat was a luxury, and it leads to decadence and war.
Many of the ancient philosophers were vegetarian. Pythagoras is credited as the first philosopher in the West to create a lasting vegetarian legacy. Plato and Socrates asserted that the ideal city was a vegetarian city. He believed that meat was a luxury, and it leads to decadence and war.
Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci, artist and renaissance man, was thought to be a vegetarian because of his love of animals, and his hatred of their suffering. Because of this, some of his biographers have suggested that he kept a strict vegetarian diet
Leonardo da Vinci, artist and renaissance man, was thought to be a vegetarian because of his love of animals, and his hatred of their suffering. Because of this, some of his biographers have suggested that he kept a strict vegetarian diet
Gandhi
This great Indian thought leader was raised a Vaishnava Hindu, a practice that includes vegetarianism. Though he sometimes drifted away from his family’s teachings, he reaffirmed his commitment to vegetarianism while studying law in England.
This great Indian thought leader was raised a Vaishnava Hindu, a practice that includes vegetarianism. Though he sometimes drifted away from his family’s teachings, he reaffirmed his commitment to vegetarianism while studying law in England.
Franz Kafka
Kafka was a great writer, who became a vegetarian for health and ethical reasons. He had little faith in conventional doctors, and preferred to take his health into his own hands with a raw food diet. He also protested vivisection.
Kafka was a great writer, who became a vegetarian for health and ethical reasons. He had little faith in conventional doctors, and preferred to take his health into his own hands with a raw food diet. He also protested vivisection.
Leo Tolstoy
Tolstoy was dedicated to nonviolence, which became clear in his writing. As an extension of his non-violent philosophies, Tolstoy stayed away from meat products and animal products. He didn’t like the treatment of animals and believed eating them was immoral. This lead to his friendship with Gandhi
Tolstoy was dedicated to nonviolence, which became clear in his writing. As an extension of his non-violent philosophies, Tolstoy stayed away from meat products and animal products. He didn’t like the treatment of animals and believed eating them was immoral. This lead to his friendship with Gandhi
Mary Shelley
Mary Shelley started the sci-fi genre with the classic Frankenstein. And like many Romantic artists, she followed a meatless diet that paid respect to the beauty of nature. She is quoted as claiming nuts, fruits and berries are sufficient for nourishment.
Mary Shelley started the sci-fi genre with the classic Frankenstein. And like many Romantic artists, she followed a meatless diet that paid respect to the beauty of nature. She is quoted as claiming nuts, fruits and berries are sufficient for nourishment.
Albert Einstein
Einstein was a supporter of vegetarian ideals for a long time, before becoming a vegetarian shortly before his death. In letters to friends, he talked about eating meat guiltily, and believing that it was healthier for humans to eat a plant-based diet. Einstein shows that anyone can make the switch at any time.
Einstein was a supporter of vegetarian ideals for a long time, before becoming a vegetarian shortly before his death. In letters to friends, he talked about eating meat guiltily, and believing that it was healthier for humans to eat a plant-based diet. Einstein shows that anyone can make the switch at any time.
Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks may not have expected that she would change history. But she was a staunch civil rights activist, as well as being a vegetarian for most of her life.
Rosa Parks may not have expected that she would change history. But she was a staunch civil rights activist, as well as being a vegetarian for most of her life.
Coretta Scott King
Coretta Scott King was the wife of Martin Luther King, and a staunch defender of non-violence and civil rights, as well as animal rights. As an extension of these non-violent beliefs, Scott King, and her son Dexter is vegetarian.
Coretta Scott King was the wife of Martin Luther King, and a staunch defender of non-violence and civil rights, as well as animal rights. As an extension of these non-violent beliefs, Scott King, and her son Dexter is vegetarian.
Nikola Tesla
If you aren't impressed by any one else on this list, Nikola Tesla is sure to surprise you. Not only was this brainiac responsible for the creation of hundreds of electrical devices, he also spoke out against animal cruelty. "Every effort should be made to stop the wanton, cruelty slaughter of animals, which must be destructive to our morals."
If you aren't impressed by any one else on this list, Nikola Tesla is sure to surprise you. Not only was this brainiac responsible for the creation of hundreds of electrical devices, he also spoke out against animal cruelty. "Every effort should be made to stop the wanton, cruelty slaughter of animals, which must be destructive to our morals."
Vegetarianism is a commitment to caring about animals and the environment. The environment may be the prominent concern of the 21st century, but we’re not the first people to connect animal welfare to important concerns of our time. These influential thinkers believed that humans would live healthier and better lives by staying away from meat products. Our list of vegetarians in history is impressive but hardly extensive! There are plenty of powerful figures in history who are vegetarian. Who's your favorite vegetarian or vegan historical influencer?
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