Galton, Francis

English scientist, inventor, and explorer who studied the inheritance of physical and mental attributes with the aim of improving the human species. He was the first to use twins to try to assess the influence of environment on development, and is considered the founder of eugenics (a term he coined).

Galton believed that genius was inherited, and was principally to be found in the British; he also attempted to compile a map of human physical beauty in Britain. He invented the ‘silent’ dog whistle, the weather map, a teletype printer, and forensic fingerprinting, and discovered the existence of anticyclones.