Elton Raymond Shaw


Elton Raymond Shaw was a churchman, author and publisher, lecturer and educator, campaigner in the prohibition and temperance movement and a naturist.

Early life

Shaw was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on 19 January 1886 to Rev'd Solomon Benjamin Shaw and Etta Ellen Sadler. He graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a double major in history and oratory and minors in English, political science and social science. Shaw led the debating team, was president of the Prohibition League, and president of the Literary Society. In 1900, he was living with a widowed aunt and his cousins in Chicago, Illinois. By 1910, he was married and living in Grand Rapids with his wife Mable and her parents.

Naturism

In 1937, Elton published his book on nudism The Body Taboo: Its Origins, Effects and Modern Denial. He authored this work in Lansing, Michigan, and published out of new offices in Washington D.C.
In a Lansing State Journal article dated August 24, 1936, Shaw explained his interest in nudism began when he learned of the 1934 case of People vs. Ring. Shaw believed “famed Kalamazoo nudist leader, Fred Ring” had received a “raw deal” relating to his prosecution stemming from charges at an Allegan County nudist camp.
Shaw was also an opponent of the Comstock laws. He wrote the book What Shall We Do with the "Comstock" Law and the Post Office Censorship Power?.

Prohibition and Temperance

Shaw wrote a number of books on this topic and was an office holder in various committees including the Prohibition State Committee of Michigan and the Intercollegiate Prohibition Association.

Church work

Shaw served in leadership roles in the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Publishing

Shaw was president of Shaw Publishing Company.

Publications

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