1811 – Henry Bergh was born. He was the son of a wealthy shipbuilder and followed in his father’s business. He became a Unitarian under the ministry of Henry Whitney Bellows in New York, and became interested in the treatment of animals, which he often saw abused on the streets. He persuaded the New York legislature to charter the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. He was elected its president and worked for that cause for the rest of his life. Read more about Henry Bergh.