W. J. Monk

William John Monk (1820 – 10 July 1896) was an English clergyman and activist for vegetarianism and temperance. He was a vice-president of the Vegetarian Society.^[1][2]

Monk was born in Kent.^[3] He obtained his BA in 1842 and MA in 1857 from the University of Cambridge.^[4] He became an ordained deacon in 1843 in Chester and priest in 1844.^[4]

Monk was the curate at Christ Church, Preston (1843–1845), Walton-le-Dale (1846–1847), Blackburn (1850–1853), Great Grimsby (1853–1858), St Alphege, Canterbury (1859–1863), Chartham, Kent (1863–1871) and vicar of Doddington (1872–1896).^[4]

Monk had indigestion and became a teetotaller in 1876.^[5] In 1878, Monk commented "I am now a strict vegetarian, living on farinaceous food, fruit and vegetables. I drink nothing, not even water, a little milk and oatmeal porridge suffices for breakfast–butter and eggs I seldom touch".^[5] He was chairman and a speaker at Vegetarian Society meetings where he argued that vegetarianism is not a costly practice and that people could do well on a diet that contained no animal flesh.^[6]

Monk was President of the National Food Reform Society which later became the Vegetarian Society's London Auxiliary.^[5][3] He resigned in 1888.^[3] Monk was also a vice-president of the Anti-Narcotic League and the Vegetarian Society for many years. He was on the committee of the East Kent Branch of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.^[5] He was on the council of the United Kingdom Alliance and was secretary of the Canterbury Church of England Temperance Society.^[1][7]

Monk married Alice Pickup in 1852, after her death he married W. Gardner in 1857.^[4] He died on 10 July 1896 at Doddington Vicarage, aged 76.^[4] His death was caused by a malignant growth.^[7]

• Doddington Church