The Life, Letters and Labours of Francis Galton

First published between 1914 and 1930, this biography offers a fascinating insight into the life of the eugenicist Francis Galton.

Written by his colleague Karl Pearson, this four-part biography of eugenicist Sir Francis Galton presents a staggeringly detailed account of the life of the controversial scientist. First published in 1924, Volume 2 focuses on Galton's 'researches of middle life', including his anthropological research and psychological experiments.A controversial figure, Sir Francis Galton (1822–1911), biostatistician, human geneticist, eugenicist, and first cousin of Charles Darwin, is famed as the father of eugenics. Believing that selective breeding was the only hope for the human race, Galton undertook many investigations of human abilities and devoted the last few years of his life to promoting eugenics. Although he intended his studies to work positively, for eradicating hereditary diseases, his research had a hugely negative impact on the world which subsequently bestowed on Galton a rather sinister reputation. Written by Galton's colleague, eugenicist and statistician Karl Pearson (1857–1936), this four-volume biography pieces together a fascinating life. First published in 1924, Volume 2 focuses on Galton's 'researches of middle life', including his anthropological research and psychological experiments. Pearson himself was later appointed the first Galton professor of eugenics at University College London.