J. Howard Moore

J. Howard Moore
Moore, c. 1914
Born	John Howard Moore (1862-12-04)December 4, 1862 Rockville, Indiana, U.S.
Died	June 17, 1916(1916-06-17) (aged 53) Wooded Island, Jackson Park, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Resting place	Excelsior Cemetery, Mitchell County, Kansas, U.S. 39°23′48″N 98°21′28″W / 39.3967018°N 98.3578033°W / 39.3967018; -98.3578033
Other names	"Silver tongue of Kansas"
Education	Oskaloosa College Drake University University of Chicago (A.B. in zoology, 1896)
Occupations	Zoologist philosopher educator social reformer
Known for	Animal rights and ethical vegetarianism advocacy
Notable work	The Universal Kinship (1906)
Spouse	Louise Jesse "Jennie" Darrow ​ ​ (m. 1899)​
Relatives	Clarence Darrow (brother-in-law)
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John Howard Moore (December 4, 1862 – June 17, 1916) was an American zoologist, philosopher, educator, and social reformer. He is best known for his advocacy of ethical vegetarianism and his pioneering role in the animal rights movement, both informed by his ethical interpretation of Darwin's theory of evolution. Moore's most influential work, The Universal Kinship (1906), outlined a sentientist philosophy he termed the doctrine of Universal Kinship, arguing that ethical regard for animals—rooted in the Golden Rule—is essential to human moral progress. He urged the extension of moral concern to all sentient beings, based on their shared evolutionary and psychological continuity with humans.

A prominent figure during the Progressive Era, Moore was also active in the American humanitarian movement. He was a prolific author of articles, books, essays, and pamphlets on subjects including animal ethics, evolutionary biology, humane education, humanitarianism, socialism, temperance, utilitarianism, and vegetarianism. A frequent lecturer, he was widely recognized for his oratory skills and was nicknamed the "silver tongue of Kansas" for his speeches on prohibition.

Born near Rockville, Indiana, Moore spent his early years in Linden, Missouri. Raised in a Christian household that taught animals existed for human use, he later rejected both Christianity and anthropocentrism after encountering Darwinian evolution during college. While studying zoology at the University of Chicago, he adopted vegetarianism, embraced socialism, co-founded the university's Vegetarian Eating Club, and won a national oratorical competition on prohibition. Moore became an active member of the Chicago Vegetarian Society, modeled on the British Humanitarian League, which he also supported. In 1895, he delivered the speech "Why I Am a Vegetarian", later published by the society. He spent the remainder of his life teaching in Chicago while continuing to write and lecture.

Moore published his first book, Better-World Philosophy, in 1899, presenting what he saw as core moral problems and his vision for ethical reform. In The Universal Kinship (1906), he introduced his doctrine of Universal Kinship, later expanded in The New Ethics (1907). In response to an Illinois law requiring the teaching of morals in public schools, he authored educational materials, including two books and a pamphlet. He also wrote two works on evolution: The Law of Biogenesis (1914) and Savage Survivals (1916). After years of chronic illness and depression, Moore died by suicide at age 53 in Jackson Park, Chicago.