Thomas Young (bapt. 29 December 1772 â 11 November 1835) was an English writer, theologian, educator, and Anglican clergyman. He was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he matriculated as a sizar in 1789, became a scholar in 1793, and graduated as the Twelfth Wrangler in the Mathematical Tripos of 1794. He was elected a Fellow of Trinity in 1795 and went on to serve as an Assistant Tutor, Tutor, and Senior Dean. In 1813, he was appointed Rector of Gilling, Yorkshire, a post he held until his death in 1835.
Young wrote about animal ethics in his 1798 publication An Essay on Humanity to Animals. In this work, he used Christian theology and moral philosophy to criticise cruelty to animals, arguing that animals possess sentience and should receive humane treatment and the protection of certain natural rights. He drew on scripture to condemn various common practices involving the abuse of animals and held that moral responsibility extended to non-human creatures. In addition to his writings on animals, Young published sermons and theological tracts addressing doctrines of Christian belief, including the resurrection, righteousness, and prayer.
Thomas Young was born in 1772, the son of Thomas Young of Cumdivock (later of Greensyke), and his wife Rachel Young (). He was baptised on 29 December 1772 in Dalston, Cumberland. Young later attended Hawkshead Grammar School, Lancashire, where he was a contemporary of William Wordsworth.
Young enrolled at Trinity College, Cambridge, in October 1789 as a sizar. He became a scholar in 1793 and took his B.A. in 1794, placing 12th in the Mathematical Tripos and being recorded as the Twelfth Wrangler. He proceeded M.A. in 1797.
Young was elected a Fellow of Trinity College in 1795. He served as an assistant tutor from 1801 to 1811, tutor from 1811 to 1813, and senior dean from 1806 to 1809.
Young was ordained deacon on 31 May 1801 and priest on 13 June 1802 by George Pretyman (later Tomline), Bishop of Lincoln. In 1813, he was appointed rector of Gilling, Yorkshire, and held the benefice until his death.
From 1809, Young was a subscribing member of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.
In his 1798 work, An Essay on Humanity to Animals, Young presented a theological argument against animal cruelty. He analysed nine key scriptural references to condemn approximately 15 common forms of cruelty and argued that God values animals, expecting humans to show similar care. He asserted that animals are capable of experiencing both pleasure and pain and that they deserve rights based on this. While he criticised the mistreatment of animals in activities such as hunting and blood sports, he accepts the practice of scientific vivisection. Young is particularly critical of clergy members who participate in blood sports.
Young published several other theological texts, including Christ's Resurrection the Cause and Pattern of Ours (1811), Christian Righteousness: A Sermon (1811), Three Sermons on St. Paul's Doctrine (1820), and Seven Sermons on the Lord's Prayer (1827).
Young married Mary Simpson Blamire on 15 August 1814; her brother was William Blamire, MP for Cumberland. They had six sons and two daughters. William Blamire Young was his grandson.
Young died in Gilling on 11 November 1835, aged 63. He was buried at Holy Cross Church, Gilling, and a memorial to him was installed on the interior wall.