ABSTRACT
Erasmus Darwin was the grandfather of both Charles Darwin and Francis Galton. The Galton family were becoming worried about Francis’ lack of friends, so he was taken to the local school. Galton hated boarding school; he endured a harsh regime, corporal punishment and loneliness. His parents were rarely inclined to present themselves in France during school holidays, so for any kind of family news, Francis had to rely on letters. Galton was well placed within an affluent social circle and could have enjoyed a sedentary Victorian existence, but for the advice of a phrenologist to pursue a more active lifestyle. Galton was famous, his reputation as a geographer and explorer was established and it was time to turn his attention to marriage. By 1854 Galton was writing again; ‘Hints to Travellers’ which was so popular that it ran to several editions. Galton completed the results of his study of excellence, and these were published in Hereditary Genius.
