Henry S. Salt (1851-1939) was an influential English writer and social reformer in the late Victorian era. He is known for his pioneering work advocating for animal rights, vegetarianism, and other social justice causes. Here are 5 of Salt’s most important and insightful books that remain relevant today:
Animals’ Rights Considered in Relation to Social Progress (1892)
Salt’s groundbreaking manifesto that laid out the philosophical argument for animal rights. In it, he maintains that animals deserve moral consideration based on their ability to suffer. Salt condemns practices of his day like hunting, trapping, slaughtering animals for food, and vivisection in science. This book helped catalyze the modern animal welfare movement.
A Plea for Vegetarianism and Other Essays (1886)
An early persuasive text promoting ethical vegetarianism at a time when meat-eating was ubiquitous. Salt builds a case against eating meat on moral, health, and economic grounds. His arguments encompass environmental and humanitarian concerns that still ring true.
Life of Henry David Thoreau (1890)
Salt’s biography of the pioneering American environmentalist, emphasizing Thoreau’s progressive views on abolition, pacifism, and animal rights. This book introduced many late Victorian readers to Thoreau’s writings and ethos for the first time.
Seventy Years Among Savages (1921)
A memoir reflecting on Salt’s career advocating for prison reform, women’s rights, socialism, and animal rights causes. The book gives insight into the challenges reformers faced against public indifference and stubborn institutions.
The Creed of Kinship (1935)
Salt’s final philosophical work expands on his animal rights ethos, digging deeper into the moral and spiritual relationship between humans and animals based on a shared kinship. He critiques anthropocentrism.
Salt was a prolific writer who produced over 40 books and 200 articles advocating for an ethical, progressive society. His writings helped lay the foundations for modern animal welfare and social justice causes. Salt’s humanist books remain enlightening on morality, activism, and living ethically even today.
