Maxwell George Lee Lipovitch (5 December 1931 – 3 March 2005) was an English educator, geographer, and activist for veganism and vegetarianism.
Lee served in various leadership roles within the International Vegetarian Union (IVU), including honorary general secretary from 1979 to 1996, deputy president from 1996 to 1999, and president in 1999. Beyond his work with the IVU, he was deeply involved in the Vegetarian Society, where he served as chairman of the society's council and later as its president. He also played a significant role in charitable organizations, including The Vegetarian Charity, where he served as chairman for many years, and was active in geographical societies in Manchester. Lee's work extended to lecturing on vegetarianism globally, contributing to publications, and engaging in various forms of public outreach, including television and radio broadcasts.
Lee was also a governor of two comprehensive schools and served as Chair of Governors for one of them.[2][3]
Vegetarianism advocacy
Lee became a vegetarian at the age of 12 for moral reasons and adopted veganism in 1985.[4] He was actively involved with the Vegetarian Society since 1955 and served as the chairman of the society's council for nearly 12 years. For his contributions, he was awarded the title of Fellow of the society.[5] At the time of his death, he was serving as president of the society.[2][5]
In addition to his role in the Vegetarian Society, Lee was the chairman of The Vegetarian Charity from 1969 until his death. The charity supports needy young vegetarians and promotes vegetarianism among young people.[2][3] He also played a key role in the International Vegetarian Union (IVU), serving as Honorary General Secretary from 1979 to 1996, and later as president and deputy president.[3][5] Lee was a former president of the European Vegetarian Union and was appointed Honorary Fellow of IVU for his services to international vegetarianism.[3] He was also a trustee of a charity that provided a vegetarian home for street children in India[2][3] and was closely associated with the Liverpool Vegetarian Home for Children and Vegetarian Home for Children in Jersey.[6]
Lee was a prominent lecturer on various aspects of vegetarianism, delivering talks and participating in television and radio broadcasts across 15 European countries, the United States, Canada, Mexico, Israel, India, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, and New Zealand. In 1995, he was awarded the International Vegetarian of the Year Award by the Reverence for Life Society of Mumbai.[3] He also authored numerous articles on vegetarianism and produced and edited a newsletter dedicated to the subject.[3]
Lee married Sylvia M. Watts in 1959.[7] They had three vegetarian daughters and six lifelong vegetarian grandchildren.[2][5]
Lee died on 3 March 2005,[2] in Stockport.[8] His funeral took place there, attended by around a hundred people, including representatives from the Vegan Society and the European Vegetarian Union. A A tree planting ceremony was planned at the Vegetarian Society's headquarters, with his ashes to be scattered on 17 September.[9]
In Lee's memory, The Vegetarian Charity established the "Maxwell Lee Memorial Workshop" for young vegetarians and vegans aged 16–25 years. This workshop, titled "Vegan Venture", was designed to teach participants about vegan cookery, with the course fully funded by The Vegetarian Charity.[4]
