Commentary: Introduction to an historical reprint: Heredity and environment in early 20th century genetics: Major Leonard Darwin's advice to eugenists

Major Leonard Darwin (1860–1943) was the fourth son and eighth child (out of ten) born to Charles Darwin (1809–82) and Charles' first cousin, Emma Wedgewood (1808–96). Considering himself the least scientifically inclined of his male siblings (his three brothers George, Francis and Horace were all elected Fellows of the Royal Society). Nevertheless, he took a position with the Royal Engineers (1871–77) and then with the Intelligence Division of the Ministry of War (1877–82). He remained in the military until 1892, when he became an MP from the district of Staffordshire. He was elevated to the rank of Major in 1890. Despite his self-evaluation, Leonard Darwin was not uninterested in science, and through the Ministry of War went on two expeditions to observe the transits of Venus (1874 and 1882). Considered charitable, with his father's sense of humour,¹ Leonard Darwin is probably best remembered for his interest in human heredity and eugenics, serving as Chairman of the British Eugenics Education Society from 1911 to 1928 (in the latter year, its name was changed to the Eugenics Society) and as President of the First International Congress of Eugenics, held in London in 1912. He was also President of the Royal Geographical Society from 1908 to 1911. His interest in eugenics derived primarily from the influence of his half-cousin once removed, the statistician Francis Galton (1822–1911).

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