CHAPTER II 

 Method of Investigation 



In beginning the present investigation, the first step 

 necessary was to frame such a conception of men of letters 

 as to permit somewhat detailed study of the various influ- 

 ences of nature and nurture. By classifying men of letters 

 in groups, formed according to the nature and importance 

 of their work, it became possible to consider the effect of 

 the various influences upon the members of each of these 

 groups. By this method investigation could be made to 

 discover whether supposedly potent influences had the same 

 effect in all groups, or whether the contrary was the case. 

 The supposed effect of the various influences could thus be 

 at least partially verified or disproved. 



A roll of one thousand men of letters was first obtained 

 by procedure as objective as the nature of the case per- 

 mitted. Concerning each of these men all reasonably ac- 

 cessible facts were collected which it was believed would 

 throw light on the influence of nature and nurture in their 

 lives. ^ These facts were classified under appropriate heads 

 and then tabulated in such a way as to show the effect of 

 each influence upon the various classes of men. The tables 

 are presented in Chapter III. Their significance is there 

 discussed, and the way in which the facts presented impinge 

 on the three theories of nature and nurture is indicated. 

 The final chapter presents a summary of the facts thus or- 

 ganized. 



1 All the data on which the study was based are given in Appendix B. 

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