Ernest Bell and the Humanitarian League

Fact Check: Was Ernest Bell a Founding Member of the Humanitarian League?

Claim: On 28 February 2020, the Wikipedia page for the Humanitarian League was revised to state that Ernest Bell was a founding member.

Verdict: False. While Ernest Bell played an instrumental role in the Humanitarian League as Treasurer and Chairman of the Committee for over two decades, historical evidence does not support the claim that he was a founding member.

Examination of the Claim

1. The Wikipedia Revision and Its Source:
   The claim in the Wikipedia edit, made by the contributor Throughthemind, cited an article from The Vegetarian Messenger and Health Review¹. The article indeed emphasises Bell’s significant involvement in the League, stating: “He [Ernest Bell] was closely associated with Mr. H. S. Salt in the Humanitarian League (a society which in its time did immense service to all humanitarian movements), being its Chairman of Committee, and Treasurer for over twenty years.” However, the article does not state that Bell was a founding member. The misrepresentation appears to have been introduced in the Wikipedia edit without adequate scrutiny.
2. Henry Salt’s Accounts:
   Henry Salt, co-founder of the League and one of its key chroniclers, offers direct insight into its formation:
   • In Reminiscences of Ernest Bell², Salt acknowledges Bell’s pivotal contributions but notes: “I find him mentioned as present at a committee meeting of the Humanitarian League in 1892.”
     This is a year after the League’s founding in 1891.
   • Writing about the League in 1916, Salt explicitly states that Bell was not part of the original committee, describing how: “The Committee was gradually strengthened by the inclusion of such experienced workers as … Mr. Ernest Bell.”³
     This clearly positions Bell as a later but vital addition to the League’s leadership.
3. Contemporary Obituaries:
   Bell’s obituary in The Animal World (November 1933) further clarifies his early involvement: “He [Ernest Bell] was… a prominent member of the Humanitarian League, which he joined within a few months of its formation…”⁴ While this highlights Bell’s near-immediate commitment to the League, it confirms that he joined after its foundation.

Analysis

The evidence overwhelmingly indicates that Ernest Bell was not present at the founding of the Humanitarian League in 1891. Instead, he joined the League shortly thereafter and became one of its most influential figures, serving as Treasurer and Chairman for over 20 years.

This distinction does not diminish Bell’s contributions; rather, it underscores how the League flourished under his leadership and dedication.

The misrepresentation on Wikipedia highlights the potential for inaccuracies when sources are misread or taken out of context. Although Wikipedia can be a valuable starting point for research, it is not a reliable standalone source, particularly for nuanced historical topics like the Humanitarian League.

Conclusion

Ernest Bell was not a founding member of the Humanitarian League. His immense contributions to the League—spanning decades of leadership—remain undisputed. However, this misattribution on Wikipedia reflects a broader issue: the need for rigorous verification and contextual understanding when editing public knowledge platforms.

Footnote

The strength of Wikipedia lies in its accessibility and collaborative nature, but this also makes it susceptible to inaccuracies. Researchers and enthusiasts should verify claims using primary sources and scholarly materials, particularly when studying historical figures like Henry Salt, Ernest Bell, and their pivotal roles in the humanitarian and animal rights movements.

1. Ernest Bell, President of the Vegetarian Society, The Vegetarian Messenger and Health Review, October 1933 ↩︎
2. Henry S. Salt, Reminiscences of Ernest Bell, Cruel Sports, June 1934, p. 45 ↩︎
3. Henry S. Salt, The Humanitarian League, The Vegetarian Messenger and Health Review, Vol. XIII No. 6, June 1916, pp. 128-130 ↩︎
4. Animal World, November 1933 ↩︎