Women Against Cruelty: Protection of Animals in Nineteenth-Century Britain: Revised Edition

Women in nineteenth-century Britain played a significant role in animal protection, founding organizations such as the Battersea Dogs Home and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. Their efforts were often belittled, but feminism in the later Victorian period showed that their spontaneous fellow-feeling with animals was a civilizing force. Women's experience of oppressive patriarchy bonded them with animals, who suffered from the dominance of masculine values and the assumption that humans were entitled to exploit them.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 312 pages
\n Publication date: 01 June 2021
\n Publisher: Manchester University Press
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Women Against Cruelty: Unveiling the Pioneering Role of Women in Animal Protection in Nineteenth-Century Britain

In her groundbreaking book, Women Against Cruelty, Dr. Emily Jenkins delves into the captivating story of women's pivotal role in animal protection during the nineteenth century in Britain. Through a meticulous exploration of rich archival sources, she sheds light on the remarkable endeavors of these pioneering women who formed organizations such as the Battersea Dogs Home, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, and numerous groups dedicated to opposing vivisection. These women tirelessly advocated for improved treatment of animals, employing both practical actions and their powerful writings, including the iconic Black Beauty by Anna Sewell.

However, their noble efforts often faced disdain and criticism from opponents who dismissed them as mere manifestations of female "sentimentality and hysteria." It was only with the emergence of feminism in the later Victorian period that women were able to demonstrate that their spontaneous affection for animals was a force for civilizing change. The shared experiences of women under the oppressive patriarchy forged a deep bond between them and animals, as both suffered from the dominance of masculine values and the belief that humans possessed unfettered entitlement to exploit animals as they pleased.

Through her meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Dr. Jenkins highlights the untold narratives of these remarkable women who defied societal expectations and fought tirelessly for the welfare of animals. Women Against Cruelty serves as a testament to the enduring power of compassion, empathy, and the unwavering commitment of women to create a more humane and compassionate world for all living beings.

\n Weight: 494g\n
Dimension: 157 x 233 x 29 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781526150462\n
Edition number: 2 ed\n