Johann Friedrich Ludwig Volckmann
German theologian and lawyer
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Johann Friedrich Ludwig Volckmann (22 January 1758 – 15 October 1815) was a German theologian, lawyer and animal rights writer.
Johann Friedrich Ludwig Volckmann | |
|---|---|
| Born | 22 January 1758 |
| Died | 15 October 1815 (aged 57) Arnstadt, Principality of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen, German Confederation |
| Occupations | Theologian, lawyer |
Biography
Volckmann studied theology (1777–1780) and law in Leipzig.[1][2] He worked in his hometown of Arnstadt as a bailiff and later as a government and court advocate. In 1794, he founded the Verein der Literaturfreunde zu Arnstadt (Association of Friends of Literature in Arnstadt).[1]
In 1799, Volckmann authored Menschenstolz und Thierqualen, an early animal rights work.[3][4] It was republished in 2018.[1] In the book Volckmann stated that animals possess "memory, phantasy, moral sense" and some degree of rationality.[4]
Volckmann argued that if man showed a higher admiration for the talents of animals, he would abstain from practicing cruelty.[4] Volckmann was one of the earliest writers to apply the term "rights" to animals.[5]
He married Wilhelmine Albertine Friederike Schöneweck in 1804.[2]
Selected publications
- Menschenstolz und Thierqualen (translated Human Pride and Animal Torture, 1799)