Leonard Llewelyn Bulkeley Williams

Leonard Llewelyn Bulkeley Williams (2 October 1861 – 20 August 1939) was a Welsh physician and writer best known for his research on obesity and advocacy of a raw vegetarian diet.

Biography

Williams was born in Castell Deudraeth, Merionethshire. He was educated at Marlborough College, University of Glasgow and in France and Germany. He received his MB in 1886 and MD from University of Glasgow in 1899. He trained at St Thomas' Hospital. He was an honorary medical officer for the Sidmouth Cottage Hospital and took the MRCP His book Minor Maladies and Their Treatment, published in 1913 was positively reviewed in medical journals.

He married Antonia Beavan. He was godfather to (and biological father of) Leonard Wilson Forster. Williams edited the Journal of Balneology and Climatology and the Medical Press and Circular.

Williams was a prominent anti-suffragist. He was also a member of the Men's Dress Reform Party and Arbuthnot Lane's New Health Society. Williams died in London, aged 77. Williams was influenced by the research of Sir William Arbuthnot Lane. However, the autointoxication hypothesis was discredited in the 20th century as scientific studies failed to support it.

He recommended periodic fasting and open-air exercise. Williams was an early advocate of a raw fruit and vegetable diet. Williams argued against the use of the kitchen stove as it destroys certain vitamins. He argued that meat, sugars and starches should be replaced with fruit, raw vegetables and unsterilised dairy products. Williams was often cited as a fruitarian or vegetarian but he eschewed these labels. He stated that raw fruits and vegetables are essential to health and if they are not eaten then vitamin deficiencies emerge.

Selected publications

The Erect Posture (Good Health, 1921) Fasting (The Medical Standard, 1922) Minor Maladies and Their Treatment (1923) The Science and Art of Living (1924) Middle Age and Old Age (1925) Obesity (1926) Minor Medical Mysteries (1935)