Roger Crab

Roger Crab (1621 – September 11 1680) was a political writer and "ethical vegetarian". He served in Oliver Cromwell's army for seven years.

He set up as haberdasher (of hats) in Buckinghamshire. He ended his days as a hermit in 1680 having lived on a low income in Bethnal Green, on three farthings a week, on a diet of "bran, herbs, roots, dock-leaves, mallows, and grass".

Imprisoned four times for "being a wizard".

His tombstone has the following epitaph:

            'Tread gently, reader, near the dust
            Committed to this tomb-stone's trust:
            For while 'twas flesh, it held a guest
            With universal love possest:
            A soul that stemmed opinion's tide,
            Did over sects in triumph ride;
            Yet separate from the giddy crowd,
            And paths tradition had allowed.
            Through good and ill reports he past,
            Oft censured, yet approved at last.
            Wouldst thou his religion know?
            In brief 'twas this: to all to do
            Just as he would be done unto.
            So in kind Nature's law he stood,
            A temple, undefiled with blood,
            A friend to everything that 's good.
            The rest angels alone can fitly tell;
            Haste then to them and him; and so farewell!'

External Links

• Roger Crab article at eastlondonhistory.com
• Crab Coat of Arms
• Hermit from "Seslisozluk.com free online turkish dictionary"
• September 11th from Chambers' Book of Days