Samuel George Morton

Samuel George Morton (1799–1851) was an American physician and anthropologist known for his studies on human skulls. He measured cranial capacity to assert theories about race and intelligence, promoting the idea that different races possessed varying intellectual capacities. His work, particularly in the 19th century, contributed to the development of scientific racism, which misused science to justify racial hierarchies. Today, Morton's conclusions are widely discredited, as his methodologies were flawed and biased. His legacy serves as a cautionary tale about the misuse of science to support prejudicial beliefs.