Francis Galton
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About
English scientist, explorer, and anthropologist who coined the term "eugenics" in 1883. He argued for selective human breeding. His 1869 book Hereditary Genius explored the inheritance of abilities. His ideas influenced involuntary sterilization laws in the United States and Nazi Germany's policies.
Before fame
He was a child prodigy and by the age of six he was reading William Shakespeare.
Trivia
He popularised the phrase "nature versus nurture." He researched the power of prayer and found there was no scientific basis. He invented the Galton whistle for testing hearing and prepared the first weather map.
Family life
He was a half-cousin of Charles Darwin. He married Louisa Jane Butler in 1853. They had no children.
Associated with
Adolf Hitler was influenced by eugenics writings, and referred to American eugenics in his book Mein Kampf.
