Arthur Keith Quotes

A collection of quotes by Arthur Keith.

Arthur Keith (1866-1955) was a prominent Scottish anatomist and anthropologist. Born in Scotland, he studied medicine at the University of Aberdeen before dedicating his career to the field of anatomy. He made significant contributions to the understanding of human evolution and race, incorporating both biological and cultural factors into his research.

Keith's interest in anthropology led him to explore the origins and development of humanity, focusing on the physical and social aspects of human evolution. His works, such as "A New Theory of Human Evolution" (1910) and "A Theory of Human Evolution" (1948), proposed the idea of a multi-regional human evolution, suggesting that different races evolved from diverse human ancestors.

Being a fervent supporter of eugenics, Keith advocated for the improvement of the human population by selective breeding and education. His beliefs aligned with the prevailing scientific ideas of his time, though they have since been discredited due to their association with discriminatory policies and racial superiority concepts.

Apart from his anthropological work, Arthur Keith actively participated in World War I, serving as a Royal Army Medical Corps officer. Post-war, he continued his academic endeavors, becoming a fellow of the Royal Society and holding the position of conservator at the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

As a distinguished figure in anthropology, Arthur Keith's ideas and contributions significantly influenced the study of human evolution, although his viewpoints on race have been met with criticism and rejection in contemporary scholarship.