Charles Davenport

Charles Davenport was an American biologist and eugenicist active in the early 20th century. He is best known for his work in genetics and for founding the Eugenics Record Office in 1910, which aimed to study human heredity and promote selective breeding. Davenport believed in improving the human population by encouraging reproduction among those he deemed fit and discouraging it among those he considered unfit, which later influenced controversial social policies. His ideas have since been widely criticized for their ethical implications and for promoting discriminatory practices. Davenport's legacy prompts important discussions about genetics, ethics, and society.