1 



CONTENTS 



PAGE 



Preface 7 



List of Tables 11 



CHAPTER I 



Theories of Nature and Nurture 



The Theory of Galton 13 



The Theory of Ward 15 



The Theory of the Importance of Both Nature and Nurture ... 17 



CHAPTER II 



Method of Investigation 



General Statement of Method 20 



Odin's Definition of Men of Letters 21 



Definition of American Men of Letters 22 



Odin's Method of Compiling a Roll of Men of Letters 24 



Method of Compiling a Roll of Men of Letters for the Present 



Study 27 



Classification of Men of Letters According to Prominence .... 31 



Collection of Data 32 



CHAPTER III 



Analysis and Interpretation of Data 



Method of Analysis 34 



Thesis of the Present Study 35 



Influence of the Environment yj 



The Rise and Decline of American Letters 37 



Social Environment 40 



Geographic Environment 49 



Local Environment 61 



Educational Environment 66 



Economic Environment 71 



Environment as Indicated by Occupation of Parents of Men of 



Letters "ji 



9] 9 



