Early life Albert Broadbent was born in
Hollingworth on 17 February 1867 to Joseph Broadbent and Mary Ann Broadbent. He was baptised in
Tintwistle on 12 May 1867.
Vegetarianism Broadbent originally intended to pursue a commercial career, but joined the staff of the
Vegetarian Society in 1894 and became its secretary in 1895. He was active in the
Vegetarian Federal Union and attended its meetings from 1893. Broadbent lectured on
vegetarianism and
dietetics. Broadbent's 1902 book
Science in the Daily Meal argued that a
vegetarian diet could support physical development and included 100 recipes free of
uric acid. The book promoted the use of
plasmon, which was disputed among some vegetarians. In 1903,
J. P. Sandlands replied to Broadbent's book with
Science in the Daily Meal Criticised, or Plasmon Confounded. Broadbent founded vegetarian restaurants in
Edinburgh,
Aberdeen, and
Leicester. According to Wm. M. Scott, the restaurants were intended to improve women's employment prospects by providing work at a
living wage, and to make low-cost vegetarian meals available to poorer customers. The venture failed and caused Broadbent financial loss.
Other activities Broadbent later became a
Bible Christian deacon and lay preacher. He served in
Congregational,
Unitarian, and
Labour Churches. They had one daughter. == Publications ==