The passing of the great race; or, The racial basis of European history (eBook)

Madison Grant (1865–1937) was an American lawyer, historian, and anthropologist, best known for his work in the field of scientific racism and his advocacy for strict immigration policies. Born in New York City to a well-off and socially prominent family, Grant channeled his interest in natural history and anthropology into the eugenics movement. His views were shaped by the prevailing beliefs of his time, which saw the Nordic race as superior and posited eugenic policies to preserve this 'ideal' lineage. Grant's seminal work, 'The Passing of the Great Race; or, The Racial Basis of European History' (1916), outlines these ideas, arguing for a racial hierarchy with Nordics at the apex. Despite the book's controversial content, it was widely popular in the early 20th century, especially among advocates of immigration restriction in the United States. His literary style is characterized by a supposed scientific objectivity, which claimed to be grounded in anthropology and genetics. However, modern scholarship universally rejects Grant's racial theories and recognizes his work as part of the debunked pseudoscience of early 20th-century eugenics. His legacy is a cautionary tale of the misuse of science to justify bigotry and discrimination.