Hereditary Genius: An Enquiry into Its Laws and Consequences (2nd ed.), by Francis Galton, selected pages (12)

2029. 192 Men of Science Appendix to Men of Science Here, as in the previous chapter, I have confined myself to the names that are most prominent in biographical collections, or that otherwise came most readily in my way. I add the names of those into whose lives I also inquired, who seem to have had no kinsmen of marked ability. They are eighteen in number, and as follow: -- Bacon, Roger; Berzelius; Blumenbach; Brahe, Tycho; Bramah; Brewster; Brown, Robert; Copernicus; Galen; Galvani; Guericke; Hooke; Kepler; Priestley; R[accent acute over 'e']aumur; Count Rumford; Whewell; Dr. Young. Amp[accent grave over 'e']re, Andr[accent acute over 'e'] Marie (1775-1836, aet. 61); eminent man of science - mathematician, electrician, and philologist. He was entirely self-taught, for his parents were in humble circumstances. Even in early boyhood, he read voraciously and showed a most tenacious memory. He was endowed with a vast vigour of brain, accompanied by a very shy and sensitive organization. Thus, although his genius was universal, he became in after life a great oddity, and his pupils made fun of him. He wanted perseverance in any one direction; he was always flying off to new subjects. Arago thought that the discipline of a public school would have had a most salutary influence on his character. S. Jean Jacques Antoine, historian and literary man of considerable eminence and originality. Educated by his father, who left him free to follow the bent of his genius. He travelled much, and always with literary and scientific results. Was Professor of Modern French History in the College of France. Arago, Dominique Fran[cedilla beneath 'c']ois; mathematician and astronomoer. Writer on many scientific subjects; also a politician and strong republican. As a boy, he made great and [end]