‘The Bible’ of the animal movement: Peter Singer and animal liberation, 1970–1976

Abstract

More than forty years have passed since Peter Singer published his ground-breaking book Animal Liberation in 1975. It is often described as 'the Bible' of the modern animal movement. But why did Animal Liberation become so influential and important? After all, it was neither the first nor the last book to reflect on the moral status of animals, factory farming, or vegetarianism. Drawing on the previously unexamined Papers of Peter Singer archive and a range of other materials, this article explores the creation, spread and influence of Peter Singer’s ideas. Situated in a period of women’s, gay and black liberation, this article examines the ideological framework that mobilised people to campaign for the wellbeing and rights of animals.This article has been peer reviewed.