An English explorer, anthropologist, statistician and eugenicist known for his pioneering studies of human intelligence.

As a young man, Galton acquired a passion for travel. Having inherited a fortune he was free to indulge his passion and pursue his academic interests. He made important contributions to the fields of physical anthropology, statistics and meteorology and conducted research into the use of fingerprints for personal identification and techniques for measuring intelligence.

He devoted the latter part of his life to eugenics, a term he coined. Eugenics is the improvement of the physical and mental make-up of the human species by selected parenthood. Galton believed that intelligence and character were inherited and not determined by environmental factors. Controversially, he argued that the social application of the principles of heredity would be justified by the benefits of improving the human condition.

Galton wrote nine books and over 200 papers. He received a knighthood in 1909.