222 Life and Letters of Francis Galton 



contains his own first definition of Eugenics, and whereas in the Inquiry we 

 find the term may be applied to animals as well as man, it is now implicitly 

 limited to mankind: 



University of London. October 10, 1904*. 



Dear Sir Arthur, I desire to forward the exact study of what may be called National 

 Eugenics, by which I mean the influences that are socially controllable, on which the status of 

 the nation depends. These are of two classes: (1) those which affect the race itself and (2) those 

 which affect its health. It is the numerous influences comprised in (1), whose several strengths 

 are as yet only vaguely surmised, that I especially want to have submitted to exact study. 

 Class (2) is already the subject of much research, but I fear that here also the results arrived 

 at require much more exact analysis by the higher methods of statistics than they have yet 

 received. 



If a scheme can be worked out that, on the one hand, fits in with the arrangements of 

 the University of London and, on the other hand, is satisfactory to myself, I am prepared as 

 a first instalment to give £1500 to serve for three years to carry out my purposes. If, but 

 only if, the working of the proposed plan proves as satisfactory as I hope, I will reconsider 

 the question witli the view of making the endowment permanent of about £500 a year. 



I presume that the University will supply accommodation for the person appointed at, say, 

 £200 to £250 a year, and for a clerk, say, at £80 to £100 a year, leaving £150 to £200 for 

 expenses. Also that the stamped official writing paper of the University may be used. 



One part of his [the Fellow's] duties would be to establish a collection of records relating 

 to those families of England who are remarkable for the number of near kinsfolk whose deeds 

 have been noteworthy. 



I feel some hesitation in drafting a statement of proposed duties for the "Research Fellow," 

 or whatever his title may be, as they ought to fit into, and not overlap, what is already well 

 done. Be that what it may, I think that " National Eugenics " would be good, as it is an 

 exact title for what I wish to see done. Yours very faithfully, Francis Galton. 



This letter is important with regard to the definition of Eugenics, as it 

 clearly indicates when and why the term "National" was introduced. The 

 University appointed a committee to consider the offer and draft a scheme 

 for the Research Fellowship in National Eugenics. It consisted of Sir Edward 

 Busk (Chairman of Convocation), Francis Galton, the Principal of the Uni- 

 versity, Mr Mackinder and myself. This committee met on Oct. 14th and 

 drew up a scheme for the Fellowship. My recollection of the meeting is that 

 most of the time was spent in drafting a definition, which ultimately differed 

 somewhat widely from that of Galton's letter of Oct. 10th, but which he finally 

 approved. It heads the Draft Scheme and runs : 



"The term National Eugenics is here defined as the study of the agencies under social control 

 that may improve or impair the racial qualities of future generations either physically or 

 mentally." 



The scheme itself contains the usual regulations as to manner of appoint- 

 ment, the constitution of a special recommending Committee, Galton reserving 

 a right of veto on the first nomination, the salary of the Fellow and his 

 assistant, who if suitable was to be termed the Francis Galton Scholar. The 

 duties of the Fellow are of more permanent interest : he was to devote all his 

 time to Eugenics, in particular he was required: 



"(a) To acquaint himself with statistical methods of inquiry, and with the principal re- 

 searches that have been made in Eugenics, and to plan and carry out further investigations 

 thereon. 



* I do not know whether this is a clerk's error in printing Galton's letter or whether he 

 actually wrote it in the precincts of the University. 



