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Vegetarians are often the butt of much ridicule – they are picky eaters, high maintenance, self-righteous, overly sensitive. I even remember being told that I smell bad because I was a vegetarian by my friends in high school. But vegetarians should rejoice in the good company they keep (well, except Hitler). Here is a list of just some of the most famous vegetarians in history.
10 Famous Vegetarians
1. Leo Tolstoy: The famous Russian writer wrote several essays on the benefits of vegetarianism. You can read one here.
2. Voltaire
3. Adolf Hitler: Hitler practiced a vegetarianism created by Richard Wagner, which equated the future of Germany’s success with abstaining from meat.
4. Albert Einstein
5. Clint Eastwood: As a long-time animal rights activist, Eastwood has also been very outspoken against hunting and killing animals for sport.
6. Leonardo Da Vinci: Da Vinci used to buy caged birds from vendors at the market in order to set them free.
7. The Beatles
8. Dr. Dre
9. Buddha
10. Pythagoras: As well as giving us the Pythagorean theorem, Pythagoras gave us the Pythagoras diet, which laid the foundation for modern vegetarianism.
Comments (16)
Comment
For some strange reason, reading this post reminded me of the Simpsons episode where Lisa became a vegetarian and met Paul McCartney — followed by him and Apu singing and praising being vegetarian.
Some of these I would have never guessed… good post!
posted by Christopher on 7-14-2008 at 3:10 pm
All of a sudden Clint Eastwood just got a whole lot cooler
posted by McCobb on 7-14-2008 at 3:32 pm
You missed a big one, who was showcased not long ago on Mental_Floss; your neighbor and mine, Mr. Fred Rodgers.
Just my 2 coppers worth…
~Bethy
posted by Bethy on 7-14-2008 at 3:44 pm
Actually Buddha wasn’t necessarily a vegetarian. Buddha and his followers were more opportunivores than anything. Since they were dependent on the kindness of strangers for their food and shelter they ate pretty much anything.
The only real ‘rule’ in Buddhism regarding eating meat is that you are not supposed to eat meat that was specifically prepared for you. But, for example, if you were starving and someone offered you meat, then it’s okay.
In fact, Buddha died from eating a piece of poisoned pork. According to some accounts that is.
posted by Jen on 7-14-2008 at 3:59 pm
@ Jen,
I was unaware of Buddhism’s take on vegetarianism. After reading your comment, I looked into it a little further and, sure enough, you’re correct. When you realize it has to do with not becoming attached to the idea of vegetarianism, it makes sense.
Thanks for the “enlightening” commentary.
posted by Florida on 7-14-2008 at 4:26 pm
As a counter-balance to this curiously all-male list, here’s a list of some famous female veggies – contemporary and historical:
Anoushka Shankar
Angela Bassett
Bernadette Peters
Billie Jean King
Brigitte Bardot
Carmen Miranda
Charlotte Bronte
Chelsea Clinton
Chrissie Hynde
Cicely Tyson
Coretta Scott King
Emmylou Harris
Gloria Swanson
India Arie
Jane Goodall
Joan Armatrading
Joan Baez
Louisa May Alcott
Lisa Simpson
Mary Shelley
Montserrat Caballe
Nina Hagen
Sandra Bernhardt
Surya Bonaly
Toni Collette
Yoko Ono
posted by Alex on 7-14-2008 at 4:35 pm
@ Alex. thanks for the female list. some of those names are very surprising, more surprising than the men’s list above. mary shelley, really?
didn’t Pythagoras have an issue with eating beans? i think it was something about how they resembled an early stage of fetus development.
posted by Claire on 7-14-2008 at 4:51 pm
now i have some ammo to reply with when my family gives me a hard time about my vegetarianism.
posted by the creature on 7-14-2008 at 7:01 pm
and the incomparable Weird Al Yankovic
posted by PartiallyDeflected on 7-14-2008 at 7:22 pm
I had heard that Hitler was a vegetarian because he had problems with flatulence and vegetarianism was what his physicians prescribed for him…I also heard that he cheated on that diet, and enjoyed sausages…I have to say, Bratwurst from the local Imbiss was a wonderful thing :)
posted by Brandy on 7-14-2008 at 7:27 pm
Chrissie Hynde favored daughter of Akron, Ohio (actually Cuyahoga Falls) recently opened a vegetarian restaurant called VegiTerranean in the city.
posted by KJ on 7-15-2008 at 6:59 am
I know PBS was a vegetarian, but didn’t know about Mary. Interesting.
@ Brandy – Yeah, that’s what I’ve heard too–that it wasn’t his choice and he didn’t enjoy it.
posted by Lynn on 7-15-2008 at 8:35 am
Joaquin Phonenix!
posted by shelly on 7-15-2008 at 9:15 am
FYI: Wikipedia has what appears to be a well researched (in so far as their are cites and sources given for many of those present) list of famous vegans here. (No link allowed, but just go to “List of Vegans” on wikipedia).
posted by Tartarugafechada on 7-15-2008 at 10:40 am
Add Olympian Edwin Moses to the list.
posted by chieromancer on 7-15-2008 at 12:09 pm
I’ve seen many lists like this before and am proud to be in such company, but had no idea about Clint Eastwood. Wouldn’t have guessed that.
posted by Celeste M. on 7-16-2008 at 4:22 pm