The Vegetarian Society is formed in the United Kingdom on September 30, 1847 (it remains the oldest in the world).

Key groups involved in the formation of the Vegetarian Society were members of the Bible Christian Church, supporters of the Concordium, and readers of the Truth-Tester journal.

The Bible Christian Church was founded in 1809 in Salford by Reverend William Cowherd after a split from the Swedenborgians.

One distinctive feature of the Bible Christians is a belief in a meat-free diet, or ovo-lacto vegetarianism, as a form of temperance.

The Concordium is a boarding school near London on Ham Common, Richmond, Surrey, which opened in 1838.

Pupils at the school follow  a diet completely free of animal products, known today as a vegan diet.

The Concordium is also called Alcott House, in honor of American education and food reform advocate Amos Bronson Alcott.

The Truth-Tester is a journal that publishes material supporting the temperance movement.

In 1846 the editorship had been taken over by William Horsell, operator of the Northwood Villa Hydropathic Institute in Ramsgate, Kent.

Horsell has gradually steered the Truth-Tester towards promotion of the 'Vegetable Diet'.

In early 1847 a letter to the Truth-Tester had proposed formation of a Vegetarian Society.

n response to this letter, William Oldham held what he called a "physiological conference" in July 1847 at Alcott House.

Up to one hundred and thirty attended, including Bible Christian James Simpson, who presented a speech.

The conference passed a number of resolutions, including a resolution to reconvene at the end of September.