Hereditary genius : an inquiry into its laws and consequences

Galton, Francis, 1822-1911 · 1869

Francis Galton, influenced by the work of Charles Darwin, came to believe that, following research into the biographies and genealogies of 400 famous individuals—judges, statesmen, poets, painters, scientists and athletes—genius was hereditary. He then proceeds to speculate about the comparative worth and abilities of different races and nations: “A native chief has as good an education in the art of ruling men, as can be desired; he is continually exercised in personal government, and usually maintains his place by the ascendancy of his character…. A traveller in wild countries also fills, to a certain degree, the position of a commander, and has to confront native chiefs at every inhabited place. The result is familiar enough—the white traveller almost invariably holds his own in their presence. It is seldom that we hear of a white traveller meeting with a black chief whom he feels to be the better man.” This is a first edition of Galton’s influential study of the subject which proved to be a cornerstone in the beginnings of the eugenics movement. Two page excerpt from Sir Francis Galton's Herediatry genius: an inquiry into the laws and consequences which discusses race