Religion and Society in Industrial England: Church, Chapel and Social Change, 1740-1914

Abstract

Francis Galton (1822-1911) coined the word "eugenics", which he defined as, "the study of agencies under social control that may improve or impair the racial qualities of future generations either physically or mentally".Its objective was the increase of the level of human fitness, and obviously the political and social implications, amongst others, were immensely important at the beginning of the present century.Likewise efforts to demonstrate the dominant influence of heredity, rather than environment, on social life and character were also prominent at the turn of the century.Dr. Searle's excellent and scholarly study is, therefore, concerned basically with the interaction between biology and social thought and the political repercussions of scientific discoveries.This is an important topic, skilfully handled and presented.