| The Vegetarian Party, also known as the American Vegetarian Party, was a political organization formed in 1947 and lasting until 1963. To a great degree, its activity was dependent upon Symon Gould, its founder, who died in 1963. Although the party nominated candidates for President and Vice President for the elections of 1948 to 1964, the party never gained ballot status in any state.
The party was founded on 7/28/1947 during the sessions of the American Naturopathic Association at the urging of Symon Gould, the assistant editor of the magazine the American Vegetarian, which began publication in 1940. At its initial national convention, John Maxwell, owner of a Chicago vegetarian restaurant, was nominated for President with Gould for Vice President. [Note: Wikipedia gives Daniel J. Murphy as the VP nominee, without citing any source.] Gould then organized an American Vegetarian Convention, held in Milwaukee in 1949 source.
The second national convention was held in Chicago from 8/31 to 9/3/1951. Herbert C. Holdridge, a retired Brigadier General, peace activist, and national chairman of the U.S. Peoples Party, was nominated for President with Gould for VP. Holdridge printed the platform of the party, but in mid-1952 he withdrew from the race to run with his own party label. Daniel J. Murphy was substituted as the presidential nominee.
The 1956 national convention was held in Los Angeles CA on 7/6/1956. Herbert M. Shelton, a leading raw foods advocate, was nominated for President with Gould again for Vice President.
In 1960, Gould was nominated as the party's presidential nominee with Chistopher Gian-Cursio for VP.
The last convention of the party was held in 1963. The ticket chosen for the 1964 election was Gould for President and Abram Wolfson for VP. When Gould died in late 1963, no alternate ticket was nominated, and the party dissipated. | 
