Joseph Malins (1844 to 1926)
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Carte de visite portrait of temperance activist Joseph Malins in ceremonial robes.
Upon return from America in 1868 Malins founded first British Lodge of the quasi-masonic, teetotal American temperance society, the International Order of Good Templars (IOGT) in Cregoe Street, Birmingham. By 1870, he had founded the grand lodge of England and was elected grand worthy chief templar. The IOGT was amongst the most politically extreme of the temperance societies, campaigning for local veto referendums and rejection of any compromise regarding the retail drink trade.
Malins was chiefly responsible for the growth in membership of the IOGT to over one million by the time of his retirement in 1914. Utterly dedicated to the cause of temperance, Malins routinely worked 18 hour days attending to the order's business. He also contributed to the formation of the pressure-group, the National Temperance Federation in 1884 and served as honorary secretary and chairman.
A member of Worcestershire county council, Malins was also a prolific writer on the subject of temperance, his most famous verse being 'Professor Alcoholico' published in Birmingham by Morris & Co. in 1876.
Carte De Visite produced by J H Lile & Co., London.Photographer: J H Lile
Typical dimensions - Print: 54mm x 89mm. Card: 64mm x 100mm
Location: [BA&H:Portraits/Birmingham/Box MAA-MEL]
