[Social Welfare][ Anti-][ Animal Rights][ Human Rights][ Collections & Archives] Dr. Albert Leffingwell. An extensive collection with over 110 published pieces, polling results and more from the private collection of Dr. Albert Leffingwell, a leader in the anti- vivisection movement (use of live animals and humans in medical testing). 1887-1924. Dr. Leffingwell joined the anti-vivisection movement in the 1880s: protesting against the use of live animal (and human) subjects for medical testing. He and his fellow activists worked tirelessly to gain public support: distributing educational pamphlets and submitting articles that called attention to doctors and educators who tried to defend the practice. His collection of anti- vivisection material is the result of his years of activism, and has examples of a wide variety of pamphlets, newspaper articles, and items from a wide variety of anti-vivisection organizations across the country between 1887 and 1924.

American : twenty-nine (29) items – Formed in 1877 as the “International Humane Association,” then changed to “ Society” in 1878, the American Humane Society is dedicated to the safety and welfare of animals. One of the larger organizations involved in the animal vivisection debate, the Society published many anti- vivisection pamphlets, leaflets, and books, some of which Dr. Leffingwell himself wrote. This organization exists to this day, under the name “American Humane,” and continues to champion animal rights.

• Six (6) of the Society’s annual report’s following their yearly convention. Report describes the meeting that year, detailing who spoke and what was spoken in each session. Increasing presence of women in the association can be seen in the increasing number of women each year – the 28th annual report shows 11 female officers, while the 30th and 31st reports show 14 female representatives. Each measure 5 1/2" x 8 3/4".

Page 1 of 7 [email protected] o American Humane Association 28th Annual Report, held in St. Louis MO. 1904. Leffingwell is president of the association at this time. o American Humane Association 30th Annual Report, held in Chicago, IL. 1906 o American Humane Association 31st annual report, held in Boston, MA. o The annual report contains a list of officers of the American Humane Association, followed by a description of the speeches given at the convention and of any events held at the convention. New findings into studies done on anti-vivisection surgeries are presented, as well as new research related to some of the other causes the American Humane Association was involved in, such as systemic poverty and criminal justice. In addition, various chapters of the association reported on some of the local activism happening across the country. o Interspersed with the more academic lectures, officers and guests told stories focused on the organization’s successes, encouraging enthusiasm and optimism. Chairman of the convention, Mrs. Caroline Earl White, spoke of a woman she’d heard of in Nantucket, who was so moved watching people hurt their animals as they tried to climb a nearby hill that she put made a sign by the road, asking for people to walk their animals up the hill instead. A local minister, in a sermon a few weeks later, called it “the most beautiful thing” he had seen. o Guests to the conventions included government officials, religious leaders, affluent men and women of society, and academics from across the country and Canada, many representing different groups or causes. For example, at the 31st convention, Hon. A. B. Chapman, representing the governor of Massachusetts, praised the anti- vivisection activists, saying their campaigning was so successful that even in Egypt, tour guides knew that, around the “watching eye of the woman” they must not mistreat their animals.

• Over 400 signed ballots from votes held by a professional organizations of doctors, and of teachers, as well as some submitted by members of the clergy. Many included the signer’s written comments on the subject. Each group received a similar proposal, and was asked to vote for one of 3 or 4 options. Predominantly New York or Massachusetts voters, but with exceptions coming from as far as Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, and Minnesota. More than half of the ballots submitted include an additional, handwritten note outlining the voter’s particular opinion; notes vary in length, with some voters attaching additional paper to continue their notes. On review of the ballots, some trends were identified: o Voters in the medical field voted overwhelmingly for Option 2– “Vivisection Restricted to Utility,” with roughly 174 votes compared to some 5 votes for Option 3 – “Vivisection allowable if without pain” o Voters who were members of the clergy also favored Option 2 – with roughly 139 votes, versus 32 votes for Option 3. o Educators were the only group of voters to not favor Option 2 “Vivisection Restricted to Utility”: it only received 28 votes, while Option 3 – “Vivisection Allowable without Pain,” had 52 votes in its favor.

Page 2 of 7 [email protected] o All voting forms are uniform, with only one exception: 57 ballots are signatures coming from a survey sent to physicians in the state of New York in May, 1895, indicating their support of a joint resolution regarding vivisection. There is no full copy of the resolution amongst the ballots. o Notable outliers among the voters include: a female Unitarian minister, a rabbi, a dentist, and a laborer o The majority of the notes written on ballots are about the various options, altering the wording or adjusting the meaning of the option they are choosing. For example, one clergyman who voted for Option 2, wrote “but utility should include laboratory work for mature students… and classroom demonstrations before such students…” One New York physician noted above his response, “no undergraduate to attempt it.” o A large portion of ballots will have some remarks written by the voter: one Boston voter made a note beginning, “I think everyone should be aware that vivisection is the foundation on which the great sciences of Bacteriology, antiseptic surgery, and medicine [are founded] (more useful to mankind than all that 30 centuries of traditional medicine have bequeathed to us)…”Others are more practical, like the general practitioner who noted, “I don’t know much about vivisection, but I doubt whether it is much good.”

• Thirteen (13) different pamphlets and leaflets. Seven items are booklets with 20 or more pages, the majority of which are published by Leffingwell himself. Titles include “Is Science Advanced by Deceit?”, “Scientific Chicanery: Does it Pay?”, “The Starvation of Cattle on the Western Plains, “and “Is Vivisection Painful?”, among others. Pamphlets and leaflets are primarily devoted to educating the reader on the subject of vivisection in school, how painful vivisection is, and other, general primers on the vivisection debate. o Pamphlets were often topical, debating statements put out by vivisection advocates, and taking advantage of events in the news. One pamphlet titled “The Sad Blunder of Bishop Lawrence,” references an incident during a hearing before Congress in Washington DC, between the Bishop and Senator Gallinger. Bishop Lawrence said that anti-vivisection material was full of misleading information, rarely “weighing the evidence” that they presented. This pamphlet prints the letters exchanged between the association and Lawrence, beginning when the secretary of the association asks Bishop Lawrence to identify the pamphlets in question: as one of the major publishers for anti-vivisection material, his statement reflected badly on the American Humane Association. Bishop Lawrence’s response tried to claim that the American Humane Association was not one of the pamphlets he was referring to, and then went on to say that he was “a pretty busy man” and couldn’t possibly look for the pamphlets he was critiquing, and probably had thrown them in the garbage anyway.

• Three (3) speeches or addresses, reprinted by the American Humane Association for distribution. Particularly well received speeches related to the debate around vivisection

Page 3 of 7 [email protected] were frequently transcribed and, with the occasional line from the Society’s President Philip G. Peabody providing context, printed for distribution. Speeches from people outside of the Association were also printed, such as the address given by Professor Theophilus Parvin before the American Academy of Medicine about the value of vivisection in medicine.

• Program for the thirty-second annual meeting, held in November 1908 in New Orleans, LA, and bi-fold pamphlet advertising the event. 8 pp and bifold. The program contains the schedule each day of the meeting, listing speeches that will be given, and the timing for all the events. Bifold has, on one side of the page has a map of the French Quarter, opposite side is divided in sections: 1 panel devoted to the Society for Children's mission, 1 panel devoted to the Society against , and 1 in the middle instructing how the day's events will begin. Program - 5 ½” x 8 ¾”; bifold - 3 1/2" x 8 3/4" when closed.

• New England Anti-Vivisection Society: twenty-four (24) items. Formed in 1895 in Boston Massachusetts, the New England Anti-Vivisection Society (NEAVS) was dedicated to ending the use of animals in research or education, and continues its advocacy to this day. Philip G Peabody, the first president of the Society, printed pamphlets and leaflets featuring quotes with scientists, testimonials, and graphic images – all to get the attention of the public, and spread their message across New England. o Twenty-three (23) different pamphlets and leaflets. Almost all attributed to Philip G. Peabody, either as the author of the article, or, as the President of the Society, as the one responsible for printing these items. Many items are informational, intended to teach the public about the issue, but some pamphlets include graphic illustrations of animals at various points in the vivisection process, largely just as a way to shock readers into action. o Several items are related to a scandal at Harvard Medical College, wherein a young boy was caught stealing cats which, he claimed, were bought by a custodian at the

Page 4 of 7 [email protected] medical college for use in the labs. The dean of the college Dr. William L. Richardson was quoted saying, “"…it's perfectly ridiculous. I have been at the school ever since my graduation, and I never saw or heard of a cat being in the building. What do we want of a cat? We don't dissect cats. I never heard of a cat being dissected here." Shortly after making his statement, one of the professors, Dr. Bowditch told reporters that the animals were being taken for .

o One (1) copy of the New England Anti-Vivisection Society’s annual report, 1914. Report made in Tremont Temple, MA.

• Associated Organizations: thirty-two (32) items. Thirty-two (32) items related to organizations other than the American Humane Association and New England Anti- Vivisection Society. These include: the Society for the Prevention of Abuse in Animal Experimentation, the Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Vivisection Investigation League, the New York State Anti-Vivisection Society, the Vivisection Reform Society, and the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals o Informational leaflets, pamphlets, and articles produced by organizations, primarily in the New England area. Includes academic articles about vivisection, annual reports, transcripts of various speeches, testimonials from doctors and teachers, and articles featuring graphic illustrations or photographs of animals undergoing live vivisection. o Various groups printed speeches for distribution. One titled “Extracts from An Address by Canon Wilberforce for the Society for the Restriction of Vivisection,” was printed by the American Anti-Vivisection Society, wherein he outlines the various ways one can support the anti-vivisection movement, then presents a religious argument for the total prohibition of vivisection experiments. o Four (4) issues of the Journal of Zoophily. 1915-1916. Philadelphia, PA. All measure 9" x 11 1/2" o Vol. XXIV, No. 1 – January, 1915. 16 pp., numbered 1-16. Photograph of a dog and the quote, “He who is not actively kind is cruel," on the front page o Vol. XXIV, No. 2 – February, 1915. 12 pp., numbered 20-32. Photograph of a cat with the caption, "The Household Pet," on cover. o Vol. XXIV, No. 3 – June, 1915. 16 pp., numbered 84-96. Photograph of a young girl and a horse, captioned “Horse Tag Day in Philadelphia”. o Volume XXV, No. 3 – March, 1916. 14 pp., numbered 34-48. Photograph of a kitten with the caption, "Smells Like Spring," on the cover. o The book, “An Ethical Problem: Or Sidelights Upon Scientific Experimentation on Man and Animals” by Albert Leffingwell, M.D. 1916. 378 pp. 8vo. Second Edition.

• International: nine (9) items.

Page 5 of 7 [email protected] o One (1) issue of “Représentations fidèles, prises dans les Chambrs de Torture Scientifique! - published by L'Association Internationale Pour Combattre la Torture Scientifique.” 12" x 19" o Pamphlets and leaflets from English anti-vivisection organizations, all printed in London. Includes material from the Victoria Street Society and the International Association for the Protection of Animals from vivisection, as well as a copy of a pamphlet written by the Lord Colderidge, Chief of Justice of England, condemning vivisection. o A paper titled, “For Pity’s Sake,” by Charles Bell-Taylor, read at the National Anti- Vivisection Conference in Nottingham, England. Published by Victoria Street and the International Society for the Protection of Animals Against Vivisections, the paper goes through the common arguments about vivisection point by point, giving details and evidence to support his arguments. o One (1) copy of “The Animal’s Friend,” edited by S.G. Trist. Illustrated. No. II, Vol. VII. London, (year), And one (1) copy of “The Animal’s Friend, with Children’s Illustration Supplement,” edited by George Bell & Son’s. London.

• Senate Hearings/Government: nine (9) items. o Seven (7) items related to the Congressional Bill on the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in the District of Columbia. Includes a copy of the bill, official transcripts of the hearings including testimonies given and letters referenced during the hearing, all heavily marked by Dr. Leffingwell. o One (1) copy of the bill “For the Regulation of Scientific Experimentation Upon Human Being and Animals in the District of Columbia, and elsewhere, or upon Men Serving in the Army and Navy of the United States,” to be voted on by the Senate. March 2, 1900. o One (1) copy of the “Appendix to Second Report of the Commissioners: Minutes of Evidence, February to March 1907, presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of His Majesty.” Extensive writing throughout by Dr, Leffingwell. A list tracking the death of his acquaintances is inserted at the beginning of the booklet. After page 4, two pages have been inserted, documenting an exchange between members of the house in regards to the anti-vivisection hearing.

• Women: five (5) items.

Page 6 of 7 [email protected] o Three (3) items written by Elizabeth Stuart Phelps, including one letter she and her husband wrote addressed to “To Authors and Journalists,” calling on reporters and authors to publicize the anti-vivisection debate in order to gain more attention, and help with recruitment of members; and printed copies of 3 speeches she made: two she made before the Committee of the Massachusetts Legislature in favor of a proposed anti-vivisection bill, first in 1901 and then in 1903, and one she made at. Her speeches before the committee reveal a passionate woman, and one who describes in graphic detail the vivisection procedure and references the African slave trade to make her point. o A paper titled, “Is Vivisection Morally Justifiable?” was read by a Mrs. White at the 1894 National Council of Women meeting held in Washington, DC. Argued primarily from a religious standpoint, saying that “it is a sin in the sight of God.” o One (1) supplement to the Journal of Zoophily Committee, which lists the meetings of several anti-animal cruelty groups, including women’s groups. 6 pp. 8 1/4" x 11".

• Miscellaneous: five (5) items o Connecticut Humane Society Membership Card. Dated Nov, 31 1900. Signed by Mr. Oliver F Perry. 4" x 2 1/4" o Journal owned by Dr. Leffingwell, dated Feb 1st, 1898. Contains sequential, numbered columns with random groupings of numbers and hash marks. 4 ¾” x 12”. o Reporting Form (Unused). One-sided. To track the animals being used in demonstrations. 7 1/2" x 10 1/4". o Single sheet of 28 stamps; color illustration of dog with "Spare Us from Vivisection" printed above and below it. 1"x 1"

• Finally, a partial edition of The Daily Picayune, Wednesday, November 18, 1908, New Orleans, reporting on the American Humane Congress captioned headlines include Leader in the Great and Unselfish Work. Of Bettering the Conditions of Country’s Children, And Protecting Faithful and Friendly Animal Kingdom and Economical and Practical as Well as Sentimental Side of Mercy Emphasized by Statistics. Essentially a conference on the protection and betterment of conditions for children and animals. A full-page report highlighting the conference is found on page 11. Of note is a section titled Statistics for 1908: Condition of Societies. It includes information on the numbers of children and animals involved in work, numbers of large and small animals killed, numbers of prosecutions and convections and more.

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