Donald Watson is credited with coining the word “vegan” and was one of the founders of The Vegan Society. This week’s column is an homage to Donald, who passed away 20 years ago this week, on November 16, 2005.
I have not written much about my relationship with Donald, saving the bulk for his biography which I have struggled to pen over these last two decades. I have published two pieces that came from my visits with him, the first a lengthy interview to commemorate the 60th anniversary of veganism in 2004 and, the second, a shorter piece following his passing the following year.
But I want this to be more than just an “anniversary memorial” of the man’s passing and I am absolutely positive that he would want the same thing. As VegCurious? Ask a Vegan!’s primary aims are to support people who are already living a plant-based lifestyle and, just as importantly, to encourage those who are beginning to dip their toes into veganism, I believe it’s most appropriate to share a little about Donald and his family while acknowledging that veganism isn’t about perfection, or being strident, or intentionally pissing people off. Actually, it’s the exact opposite.
The story goes that Donald and his wife Dorothy created the word “vegan” by “cutting the crap” out vegetarian. Also, the hard “v” pronunciation (VEE-gun) instead of the soft “v” (of “vej-a TARE-e-un”) was intentional, to make it stand out; to differentiate it from what it wasn’t.
Donald Watson:
Because my inspiration said “No!” It was to be “VEE-gan.” The emphasis on the first syllable. It caught on and the only criticism I ever had was from a very prominent chap in the vegetarian movement, Jon Wynne-Tyson. He didn’t like the word vegan. [He said] it sounded like inhabitants from another planet.
Sadly, Dorothy had passed on by the time I traveled to Northern England to conduct my interviews, and Donald was far too humble (or was he?) to take full credit for the word, even if history mostly credits him.
Regarding veganism, prior to the coining of the word in 1944, there were vegans, though they were known (then) as “non-dairy vegetarians” and referenced (most often) today as “proto-vegans.” Oddly enough, though, Dorothy Watson was never a vegan! For those who struggle with family and friends—Thanksgiving is almost here—and can’t understand why it is so difficult to get those closest to you to JUST LISTEN!, you are in good company. And even though Dorothy—who was vegetarian, and may or may not have helped create the new word—never became a card-carrying vegan, Donald dealt with it with aplomb.
Donald and Dorothy had one daughter, Janet, known to friends as Jan. She and I also got to know each other when I ventured to England that first time and it was Jan who strongly encouraged me to revisit. Her Dad, you see, had stayed out of the limelight for decades, never granted interviews (I believe I am the only journalist to ever interview him in person) and, though healthy, must have felt that the sun would be setting soon.
Though Jan was born after 1944, and was a lifelong vegetarian, she, too, like her mother, never fully embraced veganism. Imagine being the person credited with a new concept and not being able to get the two people closest to you to join the club! Sound familiar? Yet Donald was not frustrated, didn’t criticize, and—from all I saw and heard—never allowed it to bother him. I certainly cannot claim the same in the 34 years I have been doing this, though I have mellowed, and I can’t think of any other vegan I have known who was or is as diplomatic.
Which leads to a question: Why the “angry vegan” stereotype? I have searched and searched for how this came to be and have never found an answer, though this is a subject to be taken up in future columns. For now, it’s enough to know that the person who originated the concept was humble, gentle, and not in the least bit “angry,” though, based on what I just shared, some may believe he had every right to be.
Donald Watson knew that all we can do is plant seeds. You are not responsible for how others react or what they do with the information you give them (though if at first you don’t succeed, try different approaches). Getting upset with the non-vegans in your family is a not a viable strategy, for your own mental health or for promoting veganism. Live by example. Be a happy, healthy vegan. Age well, stay active and social, and climb a fell—a rugged hill or mountain in English parlance—on your 90th birthday. That’s how we’ll get others to join us. 🌱
