W. Gibson Ward

William Gibson Ward (1819 – 18 October 1882) was an English vegetarianism activist and anti-vaccination campaigner.

Ward was born in Birmingham. He was the Herefordshire squire of Perriston Towers, Ross. Ward was a vegetarian and abstained from alcohol and tobacco, he was also opposed to vaccination. He was a trustee of the National Agricultural Labourers Union and contributed to their journal, Labourers' Union Chronicle. Ward was Vice-President of the Vegetarian Society. In 1874, Ward, Isaac Pitman, John Davie and Francis William Newman were described as the "leading vegetarians" in England.

Ward was involved in a dispute with Henry Taylor, secretary of the National Agricultural Society. In 1876, it was reported that Ward was charged at the Birmingham Police Court with "feloniously and maliciously libelling Henry Taylor, of Leamington Spa" by publishing two defamatory letters. Ward later withdrew his false charges against Taylor and regretted having made them. An apology by his solicitor on his behalf was produced at court and the apology was accepted and signed by all parties involved.

During 1878-1879, Ward wrote a series of letters to The Times on vegetarian dieting. The letters were popular with the public and increased membership to the Vegetarian Society. Historian James Gregory has noted that Ward "played an important role in the revival through letters to The Times advocating vegetable alternatives for the working classes at a time of concern about the cost of food."

Ward contributed to the National Anti-Compulsory Vaccination Reporter, an anti-vaccination journal.

Journalist Howard Evans was highly critical of Ward and his activities. He commented that Ward was a "ferocious hater of the landed aristocracy" and "never was there such a man who had such a curious bundle of fanaticisms."

He died on 18 October 1882.