Fellowship of the New Life
새 생활 동지회
The ethical and life-reform society founded in London in 1883 by the Scottish thinker Thomas Davidson. Aiming at “the cultivation of a perfect character in each and all”, its members practised simple living, vegetarianism and pacifism; Edward Carpenter, Havelock Ellis and Olive Schreiner were among them. Members who wanted political action set up the Fabian Society as a separate body, and the Fellowship disbanded in 1898.
In depth
The Fellowship of the New Life grew out of meetings Thomas Davidson held at his home in Chelsea, London, from 1883. Influenced by the Italian philosopher Rosmini, Davidson believed that pure intelligence would lead to a better society, and on 16 November 1883 the members adopted a statement resolving to replace a social life based on selfishness, rivalry and ignorance with one based on unselfishness, love and wisdom, realising it among themselves and helping others to do the same. Its programme, the “Vita Nuova”, set as its object “the cultivation of a perfect character in each and all”.
Members of the Fellowship of the New Life included the poet Edward Carpenter, the animal-rights activist Henry Salt, the sexologist Havelock Ellis and Edith Lees, later his wife, the novelist Olive Schreiner and the future Fabian secretary Edward Pease; Ramsay MacDonald was briefly a member. Under Tolstoy’s influence many practised pacifism, vegetarianism and simple living, and the Fellowship published a journal, Seed-Time. Carpenter was drawn to its politics, its sexual radicalism and Ellis’s work.
When some members wanted political involvement to further social transformation, the Fellowship of the New Life set up the Fabian Society as a separate society, and members were free to attend both. The Fellowship disbanded in 1898 and is now best known for its offshoot.