Galton was instrumental in the formulation of 'eugenics', which seeks to improve the human stock and prevent the degeneration of genetic potential. He had introduced the very word "eugenic" in Human Faculty, and was instrumental in popularizing the notion among the scientists and intellectuals of his day. The final chapter (Race Improvement) of Galton's autobiography, summarizes his eugenic concerns. In the last decade of his life, Galton pursued the eugenic cause vigorously, and it became an article of faith to him. The following exchange in the American Journal of Sociology between Galton, George Bernard Shaw, H. G. Wells and others illustrates how little the broad parameters of this debate have changed over the years.
Eugenics: Its Definition, Scope and Aims
American Journal of Sociology, Volume X; July, 1904; Number 1
Galton wrote several more articles on Eugenics, the most important of which were collected in Essays on Eugenics, issued by the Eugenics Society in 1908.
Facsimile | 1873 | Africa for the Chinese. [Letter] | Times, The (June 5) |
Facsimile | 1901 | The possible improvement of the human breed under the existing conditions of law and sentiment. | Man 1 (132) : 161-4 |
Facsimile | 1901 | 'The possible improvement of the human breed under the existing conditions of law and sentiment.' | Nature 64 : 659-65 |
1902 | 'The possible improvement of the human breed under the existing conditions of law and sentiment.' | Popular Science Monthly 60 : 218-33 | |
1903 | 'Our national physique--prospects of the British race--are we degenerating?' | Daily Chronicle (July 29) | |
Facsimile | 1904 | 'Eugenics. Its definition, scope and aims.' | American Journal of Sociology, The 10 : 1-6 |
Facsimile | 1904 | 'Eugenics. Its definition, scope and aims.' | Nature 70 : 82 |
Facsimile | 1905 | Studies in eugenics.' | American Journal of Sociology 11 : 11-25 |
Facsimile | 1905 | 'Studies in national eugenics.' | Nature 71 : 401-2 |
Facsimile | 1905 | 'A eugenics investigation: index to achievements of near kinsfolk of some of the Fellows of the Royal Society.' | Sociological Papers 1 : 85-9 |
Facsimile | 1905 | 'Eugenics. Its definition, scope and aims.' | Sociological Papers 1 : 45-50, 78-9 |
Facsimile | 1906 | 'Eugenics: I. Restrictions in marriage; II. Studies in national eugenics.' | Sociological Papers 2 : 3-13, 14-17, 49-51 |
Facsimile | 1907 | Probability, the Foundation of Eugenics | Popular Science Monthly 71 : 165-78 |
Facsimile | 1908 | 'Local associations for promoting eugenics.' | Nature 78 : 645-7 |
Facsimile | 1908 | 'Address on eugenics.' | Westminster Gazette (June 26) |
Facsimile | 1909 | 'Deterioration of the British Race.' [Letter] | Times, The (June 18) |
Facsimile | 1909 | [Foreword.] | Eugenics Review 1 : 1-2 |
Facsimile | 1910 | 'Eugenic qualities of primary importance.' | Eugenics Review 1 : 74-6 |
Facsimile | 1910 | 'Note on the effects of small and persistent influences.' | Eugenics Review 1 : 148-9 |
Facsimile | 1910 | Eugenics and the Jew. [Interview] | Jewish Chronicle (July 30) |
Facsimile | 1910 | 'The Eugenics Laboratory and the Eugenics Education Society.' [Letter] | Times, The (November 3) |