Emil Weilshäuser
Emil Weilshäuser was a German publisher, writer, translator, and activist. He was a leading figure in the early German vegetarianism and anti-vivisection movement and published and translated a number of English-language works on vegetarianism into German. He also authored several works on the subject, including a vegetarian cookbook, which went through several editions. Weilshäuser served as President of the Vegetarian Society of Germany from 1882 to 1885 and was a member of the British Vegetarian Society and Victoria Street and International Anti-Vivisection Society. Additionally, he advocated for women in medicine. He was also associated with the Lebensreform movement.
Biography
Early life and education
Emil Weilshäuser was born in Oppeln, Silesia, on 31 July 1827, as the sixth child in a family where his father was a printer. Educated at the local gymnasium, he learned printing in his father's office. His eldest brother, Gustave, a lifelong vegetarian who died in 1890, was a strong influence.Conversion to vegetarianism
Weilshäuser became a vegetarian after a butchered calf fixed their dying gaze on him. In May 1844, his brother lent him Wilhelm Zimmerman's Der Weg zum Paradies, which solidified his commitment to vegetarianism. Despite early opposition from his father, reading Gustav Struve's Mandaras' ''Wanderungen and Jean-Antoine Gleizes's Thalysie further reinforced his beliefs. Weilshäuser translated Thalysie'' into German but struggled to find a publisher.Emigration and career
In 1850, Weilshaeuser emigrated to Texas with fellow Silesians but returned the following year due to the challenges of maintaining his vegetarianism. From 1855 to 1862, he ran a printing office in Neustadt, Silesia. After several failed business attempts, he retired with a modest income, realizing his true talent did not lie in business.Involvement in vegetarian and anti-vivisection societies
Weilshäuser became a member of the British Vegetarian Society in October 1852, with his declaration signed by James Simpson, serving as a Foreign Corresponding Secretary. Weilshäuser was also an Honorary Corresponding Member of the Victoria Street and International Anti-Vivisection Society. In 1870, Weilshäuser published a pamphlet, translated from English, which criticized vivisection.Weilshäuser later returned to Oppeln. He attended the inaugural meeting of the Vegetarian Society of Germany in May 1869. Following the death of Eduard Baltzer, he served as president and remained in the post for three years.
In 1888, Weilshäuser wrote to the British Vegetarian Society, congratulating them on reaching their 41st anniversary. In 1907, he again wrote to them, commending them on reaching their diamond jubilee.
Contributions to vegetarian literature
Weilshäuser published several influential works in the German vegetarian movement between 1855 and 1861. His most notable work was the twelve-volume Familienbibliothek: Gesundheit, Wohlstand, und Gluck containing translations of major treatises on vegetarianism and hygiene by prominent authors such as O. S. Fowler, Lydia Fowler, R. G. Gammage, Sylvester Graham, William Horsell, F. R. Lees, T. L. Nichols, A. Nicholson, James Scholefield, John Smith, Laroy Sunderland, and F. Towgood.The first use of the German word for vegetarianism in a book is attributed to an 1855 work published by Weilshäuser, Was ist Vegetarianismus?,'''' a translation of William Horsell's What is Vegetarianism?. An appendix, published in 1856, contained recipes from Vegetable Cookery by the English cookbook writer Martha Brotherton. In 1871, Weilshäuser authored a vegetarian cookbook, containing an extensive collection of recipes. It went through several editions, with later ones containing illustrations. In 1886, he authored a book arguing for vegetarianism from a scientific perspective, Wissenschaftliche Zeugnisse zu Gunsten der vegetarianischen Lebensweise.
In 1876, Emil Weilshäuser, along with others, including Theodor Hahn, co-published Der Vegetarianer: Zeitschrift für naturgemäße Nähr- und Lebensweise, a German-language periodical dedicated to the promotion of vegetarianism and natural living. The magazine, which ran from May 1876 to December 1877, was one of the earliest publications of its kind, offering readers 12 issues per year that explored topics related to natural nutrition, lifestyle, and the ethical considerations of a vegetarian diet. Published in both St. Gallen, Switzerland, and Berlin, Germany.
Advocacy for women in medicine
In 1868, Weilshäuser brought the debate in England and America about allowing women to be doctors to the wider public in Germany, with his paper "Weibliche Ärzte fü Frauen". In his speech, he quoted English physician Dr. James Edmunds at the opening of the Female Medical Society in London, predicting the reaction of German opponents to women studying medicine: "Although fulfilling our desire would honor the insight of highly civilized nations, as with any new reform, the voices of opponents can multiply from the toad pond of old prejudices.".Death
The date and location of Weilshäuser's death is unknown.Legacy
German historian considers Weilshäuser the "most important propagandist before 1866".Selected publications
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