Hereditary Genius

"Hereditary Genius" is a book by Sir Francis Galton published in 1869, which explores the idea that intelligence and ability can be inherited through family lines. Galton analyzed the backgrounds of accomplished individuals, such as scientists and thinkers, to see if they tended to come from the same families. He believed that talent runs in families and that heredity plays a significant role in human capabilities. While influential, his work also sparked debates about nature versus nurture and the ethics of measuring and comparing intelligence across families.