Alcott House

Bronson Alcott's compassionate emphasis on plant-based diets and his progressive teaching philosophies inspired students across the pond to open Alcott House, an experimental school in London constructed on theories and philosophies that Alcott built his successful Temple School around in Boston.

From 1838-1848, Alcott House worked to promote spiritual health through purification of the soul, which included a steadfast abstinence from animal products. This image shows the garden of Alcott House. 

Students at the school, including Charles Lane who would co-found Fruitlands with Alcott, maintained a strict vegetarian, celibate, stimulant-free lifestyle.

It was from within Alcott House that journals known as The Healthian were published. The earliest known printed use of "vegetarian" appeared in an issue of the periodical.

From there after, people connected to the Alcott House began promoting the benefits of Alcott's vegetable diet by using the word vegetarian.