Francis Galton

Francis Galton
Francis Galton (1822–1911) was a British polymath and scientist known for his pioneering work in fields like statistics, psychology, and eugenics. A cousin of Charles Darwin, Galton contributed significantly to the study of heredity and human traits, coining the term "eugenics" to describe the idea of improving human populations through selective breeding. His book "Hereditary Genius" (1869) explored the inheritance of intelligence and ability, arguing that talent runs in families. Galton also made notable advances in fingerprint analysis, laying the groundwork for its use in forensic science.

Author's Books:


ART OF TRAVEL. PREPARATORY INQUIRIES. To those who meditate Travel.--Qualifications for a Traveller.--If you have health, a great craving for adventure, at least a moderate fortune, and can set your heart on a definite object, which old travellers do not think impracticable, then--travel by all means. If, in addition to these qualifications, you have scientific taste and knowledge, I believe that no... more...

Chapter I.—General Remarks. This volume is the first instalment of a work that admits of wide extension. Its object is to serve as an index to the achievements of those families which, having been exceptionally productive of noteworthy persons, seem especially suitable for biographical investigation. The facts that are given here are avowedly bald and imperfect; nevertheless, they lead to certain... more...