Publisher's Synopsis
Thomas Tryon lived a fascinating life as an early promoter of vegetarianism, author, hat seller, ascetic and much more. Born into poverty in 1634 England, he worked with sheep, both in the manufacture of wool, as well as a shepherd. Despite the hard circumstances of his life, he independently learned how to read and write, as he could not afford formal schooling. Around the age of 18, he moved away from his childhood home in Bibury and to London to learn the trade of hatting. He became an Anabaptist, but later became a vegetarian after a spiritual experience.He moved to Barbados seeking others to convert to his spiritual beliefs, and also to grow his hat business, but he was appalled by the barbaric practice of slavery he saw there. He returned to London and then began his voluminous writing efforts. He focused on self-help type books, encouraging people to abstain from alcohol, to live non-violently, to promote education, environmentalism and vegetarianism, among other things. His books found a wide audience, including influencing Benjamin Franklin.
