STATISTICAL STUDY OF EMINENT WOMEN 6n 



sacrificed the function universally accepted as the noblest. It may, 

 perhaps, be shown that whatever they did to perpetuate themselves in 

 history was not at the expense of, but rather in addition to the duties 

 of motherhood. Some correlation, either positive or negative, may be 

 revealed between the size of family and the degree of eminence attained. 

 The number of children who became famous is also of great importance 

 from the standpoint of heredity, and it will at least be interesting to 

 know whether more of them were sons or daughters, and how their 

 fields of life activity agreed with or differed from that of their mothers. 

 A study of the state of health and cause of death may reveal much 

 needed information as to whether female genius differs physically or 

 physiologically from others of her sex. The relative variability of the 

 sexes is a matter of prime importance in a study of female ability, as is 

 also the question of psychical sex differences. Thorough examination 

 of the social and educational environment of this group of eminent 

 women is not only desirable, but essential in understanding them as 

 the historical representatives of their time. The relative productivity 

 of the aristocracy, and a careful social classification ought to be made. 

 Women have not always had the advantages they now enjoy. It is not 

 probable that the female voice has varied in sweetness through the ages, 

 yet it was not until the eighteenth century that we have record of a 

 noted songstress. Have we any reason to believe that when women 

 have gained all the rights and privileges for which they now clamor 

 that any significant results will follow? Is there a biological limita- 

 tion which says to the female, " Thus far shalt thou go and no farther " ? 

 While we may never be able to settle these questions definitely, a just 

 and thorough consideration of all the points of approach will, we trust, 

 enable us to answer with some degree of certainty the question which 

 we propounded at the beginning of our study, and which has haunted 

 us throughout the research, namely, has innate inferiority been the 

 reason for the small number of eminent women, or has civilization 

 never yet allowed them an opportunity to develop their innate powers 

 and possibilities? 



