CHAPTER XI. 



EMINENT FAMILIES. 



Mr. Galton has given much attention to the inheritance of men- 

 tal ability, especially in its relationship to great men. On page 74 

 of Hereditary Genius he gives a diagram of the eminent relatives 

 of the most eminent men in one hundred families. This diagram 

 shows that the closer the relationship is to an eminent man the 

 greater are the probabilities that the related person will also be emi- 

 nent. The principal part of this diagram may be tabulated as 

 follows : 



To the most eminent men of one hundred families, 



Of the sons 36 per cent are eminent ; 

 Of the fathers 26 per cent are eminent ; 

 Of the brothers 23 per cent are eminent; 

 Of the grandsons 9.5 per cent are eminent; 

 Of the grandfathers 7.5 per cent are eminent; 

 Of the nephews 4.75 per cent are eminent; 

 Of the uncles 4.5 per cent are eminent. 



THE FACTS AND THEIR MEANING. 



Mr. Galton gives us these facts, but he gives us no explanation 

 beyond the one that mental ability is hereditary. The sons of emi- 

 nent men do not suffer from lack of educational opportunities nor 

 social disadvantages. There is every reason why they should have 

 become eminent if they had had the quality out of which eminence 

 is created. In fact, with the opportunities that such sons have, 

 "many a mute, inglorious Milton" would have achieved fame. 



Most of the men who have filled large pages in the history of 



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