Sir Francis Galton is best known for his scientific work, especially in meteorology and heredity, two fields in which his work is considered foundational. He is probably best remembered as the founder of the school of eugenics, the goal of which was to improve humanity by selectively breeding the "best" among the people and restricting the offspring of the "worst." His name first became familiar, however, when he explored Africa as a young man; he later wrote about his adventures and wrote a general guide to travel. These works, while seldom considered today, brought Galton the respect of his contemporaries in the Royal Geographical Society.

Born 16 February 1822 Galton was the youngest child in a family of four daughters and three sons born to Samuel Tertius Galton, a banker, and Frances Anne Violetta, the daughter by a second marriage of Erasmus Darwin, the famed medical practitioner and speculative scientist...