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Prior to 1847, individuals who abstained from meat were referred to as 'Pythagoreans.' Rooted in the Romantic belief that humans should extend empathy to nature and its inhabitants, this philosophy inspired many to adopt plant-based diets. The Victorian era, with its peculiar fascination for such concepts, became a breeding ground for these ideas, particularly among writers who embraced Romantic ideals in their dietary choices. As you'll discover, some of these eating habits were quite unconventional:
10. Percy Shelley’s 'Pythagoreanism'
A passionate advocate against the mistreatment of the working class, Percy Bysshe Shelley was influenced by Ritson to adopt a vegetarian lifestyle. He made this change in 1810, just before his Oxford years. Concerned about the transmigration of souls caused by consuming animals, Shelley grew increasingly captivated by William Godwin and his periods of vegetarianism.
In his early marriage to Harriet Westbrook, Shelley and his spouse proudly identified as 'Pythagoreans.' Shelley is frequently regarded as the first prominent vegetarian of the modern era, despite eventually reintroducing meat into his diet later in life.
9. Lord Byron’s Weight-Loss Regimen
Lord Byron constantly battled weight issues, with his weight experiencing dramatic shifts due to his fondness for carbohydrate-rich foods. Determined to overcome this through sheer willpower, Byron devised his own dietary plan, which eventually became the era's first notable 'celebrity diet.'
While at university, Byron sustained himself on plain biscuits and water, or occasionally vinegar-soaked boiled potatoes. He believed vinegar promoted digestion and weight reduction, as it curbed hunger and appeared to enhance mental clarity. From 1806 to 1811, Byron successfully shed a remarkable seventy pounds (32kg).
When social obligations required him to indulge in a full meal at dinner parties, the poet would counteract by consuming large doses of magnesium later in the evening. On less formal occasions, Byron would don multiple layers of woolen clothing to promote sweating, further aiding his weight-loss efforts.
8. Lewis Carroll’s Wonderland Diet
It is widely acknowledged that Lewis Carroll regularly consumed opium, and many believe that 'Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland' subtly reflects this habit. During the Victorian era, opium use was commonplace, contributing significantly to high infant mortality rates. Carroll eventually incorporated opium into his diet in edible form, as it was often more convenient than smoking. While far from palatable, the narcotic effects outweighed concerns about the resulting unpleasant breath.
7. Charles Dickens’ Apple a Day
Dickens had a profound understanding of food, which often found its way into his literary works—ranging from the meager meals in 'Oliver Twist' to his fascination with baked apples. He firmly believed that consuming a baked apple daily during sea voyages could prevent seasickness. Dickens even suggested that the disorientation felt upon returning to land could be alleviated by eating apples.
6. John Keats’ Anchovy a Day
In 1820, the English poet John Keats was diagnosed with 'mental exertion,' and his doctor, Dr. James Clark, prescribed a daily diet of one anchovy and a small piece of bread to address his stomach ailments and tuberculosis. While adhering to this nutritionally deficient regimen, Keats was also subjected to daily bloodletting, a common but harmful practice of the time. This combination likely exacerbated his frailty and declining health, leaving him utterly drained of energy.
5. Charlotte Bronte’s Poverty Porridge
The Bronte sisters endured a far from luxurious upbringing. On the rare occasions they were provided with food, it was often prepared so poorly that it was barely edible. They faced periods of near-starvation, surviving on days filled with nothing but scorched porridge and a meager piece of bread.
Charlotte Bronte channeled her struggles with hunger into a recurring motif in her novels. Her heroines often deprived themselves of food as a testament to their resilience, conveying the idea that physical sustenance is unnecessary when the heart and mind remain strong.
4. David Livingstone’s Travel Diet
David Livingstone, the renowned explorer, is celebrated not only for his expeditions but also for his captivating field diary documenting his African travels. Accustomed to hearty meals at home, he often subsisted on minimal fare during his journeys, sometimes surviving on nothing but water and birdseed. The constant hunger sapped his energy, frequently leaving him too weak to engage in exploration. His travel diet caused significant weight loss, forcing him to repeatedly tighten his belt.
3. Robert Louis Stevenson Liked It All
Robert Louis Stevenson had an insatiable appetite for food and drink, often indulging to excess. His habits included chain smoking, heavy coffee consumption, and frequent alcohol intake, all of which he struggled to curb. Unlike Darwin, Stevenson favored a diet high in cholesterol and carbohydrates, which, coupled with his smoking and caffeine addiction, led to recurring meningitis episodes. These habits elevated his blood pressure and heart rate, further exacerbated by his cholesterol-rich diet, ultimately taking a toll on his health.
2. Charles Darwin’s Omelet
Darwin struggled with stomach acidity, gout, and excessive gas. He followed a regimen of 'ten drops of muriatic acid twice daily' and maintained a diet of modest portions of game or poultry, an egg omelet, and cheese. Despite his doctor’s advice to incorporate toast and starchy foods like potatoes, Darwin was adamant about sticking to his self-prescribed diet, which he credited with reducing his bouts of vomiting.
1. Walt Whitman’s Breakfast
Walt Whitman’s mornings were incomplete without his beloved breakfast of meat and oysters. The celebrated American poet and journalist believed that meat provided him with energy and endurance, while oysters sharpened his intellect and wit. One can only imagine what his evening meals might have entailed.
