Alice Marie Drakoules (née Lambe; other married name Lewis; c. 1850 – 15 January 1933) was a Belgium-born British humanitarian, vegetarian and campaigner for animal welfare. She was a notable organiser and supporter of humanitarian and animal organisations, including the Humanitarian League, Animal Defence and Anti-Vivisection Society and the League Against Cruel Sports.
Alice Drakoules | |
|---|---|
| Born | Alice Marie Lambe c. 1850 Brussels, Belgium |
| Died | 15 January 1933 (aged 82–83) Regent's Park, London, England |
| Other names | Alice Marie Lewis |
| Citizenship | British |
| Occupation(s) | Philanthropist, activist |
| Known for | Animal welfare advocacy |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 1 (adopted) |
Life and career
editDrakoules was born near Brussels to English parents around 1850. Her father was Henry Lambe of Truro.[1] In 1876, she married William Lewis who was the managing director of the Union Assurance Company. In 1887, she founded a Band of Mercy in Weybridge. In 1891, the Humanitarian League was founded by Henry Stephens Salt with her support. The League's first meeting was held at her home and established her as the treasurer. She was not considered to have been a great speaker or writer, but was recognised as an unfailing organiser.[2]
The Animal Defence and Anti-Vivisection Society was formed in 1906 and its executive council included Drakoules. She was a keen supporter of the society, helping it campaign for licensed slaughterhouses, humane slaughter and for an end to performing animals.[2] Her husband died in 1907, leaving her with an adopted daughter. Her second husband, Platon Eustathios Drakoules (or Drakoulis), was a Greek socialist and ex-member of the Greek Parliament. They shared a common interest in humanitarianism.[2] The Humanitarian League ended in 1919, but out of its end was formed, with her support, what was to become the League Against Cruel Sports.[2]
Drakoules died at home in Regent's Park, London, on 15 January 1933.[2]
Legacy
editFour years after Drakoules' death, her friends arranged for a monument to be constructed in St John's Wood churchyard, which includes a wide range of sculpted animals.[3]
References
edit- ^ "West of England News". The Western Morning News. May 29, 1942. p. 4. (subscription required)
- ^ a b c d e "Drakoules [née Lambe; other married name Lewis], Alice Marie". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/50748. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
- ^ Kean, Hilda (March 2011). "Traces and Representations: Animal Pasts in London's Present" (PDF). The London Journal. 36 (1): 54–71. doi:10.1179/174963211X12924714058724. S2CID 145641120. Retrieved 11 August 2014.