The English scientist Francis Galton (1822-1911)coined the term eugenics in 1883 and first spoke of the concept in 1865. In this thesis it is researched how Galton's ideas about eugenics were...Show moreThe English scientist Francis Galton (1822-1911)coined the term eugenics in 1883 and first spoke of the concept in 1865. In this thesis it is researched how Galton's ideas about eugenics were formed and how his British contemporaries responded to these ideas. The thesis question thus is:‘what formed Galton’s ideas about eugenics, and how did his contemporaries in British society respond to his ideas?’ Influences from Galton's personal life led to his interest in eugenics. At first Galton's contemporaries did not see Galton's concept of eugenics as a practical possibility, but later in his life he did find people who continued his mission. There was also a lot of criticism of his ideas. This criticism was mainly directed at the morality of eugenics and Galton's neglect of the influence of nurture on the improvement of the human race.Show less