382 C. WARD CRAMPTON 



THE GREATEST 



These are the greatest, and in the biological sense, the best. We are, 

 therefore, prepared to call them Aristoi, examples of the biological aris- 

 tocracy of service, possessed greatly of those qualities of greatness which 

 lie in a measure in all of us. Those of contrary qualities may perhaps be 

 called Kakatoi. 



What manner of man was Gautama Buddha, Confucius, Plato, Christ, 

 Zoroaster, Shakespeare? — or our own more recent men of merit, — Wash- 

 ington, Franklin and Lincoln and the many others who have done so much 

 to make America? 



NEED OF RECORD 



There is much of legend, more of common report, something of lay com- 

 ment, but I know of no authenticated facts recorded by scientific men 

 concerning any of the great men mentioned, yet they have given direction 

 to the whole course of human destiny. 



Let not the future look back upon us and wonder at the scientists of a 

 generation that strove to define the outermost limits of the universe, 

 and yet failed to make record of the greatest human influences of their 

 time, and neglected to render a service that, if omitted, could never be 

 repaired by all the scientists of all the centuries to come. 



Let us, therefore, give to the philosophers, scientists and social leaders 

 of the future, for what use they can make of it, the best record we, in our 

 conscientious ignorance, can prepare, assured that we are dealing with 

 some of the most important biological facts of our period,— facts which we, 

 and only we, can possibly secure. 



This is the reason for the beginning of the Aristogenic Record. This 

 plan was conceived, an organization of men founded and incorporated to 

 carry it forward. It proceeded as follows: 



To select the great men for study was recognized to be the first duty. 

 The basis of selection, including our interpretation of merit, was first laid 

 down as we have indicated. 



Recognizing the possible limitations of any special organization, we 

 decided to enlist the aid of those who might add their service to ours, and 

 appoint a jury to make the selection. 



The jury was selected from among men who were qualified first by their 

 own conspicuous service to the world, by their evident understanding of our 

 purpose, and who had a wide knowledge of men and affairs, and whose 

 record inspired confidence in their impartiality. 



