Arthur Estabrook

American eugenicist and social worker

Arthur H. Estabrook

Arthur Howard Estabrook (1885–1973) was an American eugenicist and social worker known for his work in the early 20th century. He was a prominent figure in the eugenics movement in the United States and conducted several studies that aimed to link heredity with social traits.

Early life and education

Arthur Estabrook was born in 1885. He pursued higher education at Amherst College, where he developed an interest in the social sciences. He later attended Harvard University, where he earned a master's degree in sociology. His academic background laid the foundation for his future work in eugenics and social research.

Career

Estabrook began his career as a social worker, but he soon became involved in the eugenics movement. He worked at the Eugenics Record Office (ERO) in Cold Spring Harbor, New York, which was a center for eugenics research in the United States. At the ERO, Estabrook collaborated with other prominent eugenicists, including Charles Davenport.

Eugenics research

Estabrook is best known for his studies on the Jukes family and the Kallikak family, which were used to promote the idea that social traits such as criminality and poverty were hereditary. His work on the Jukes family was a continuation of earlier studies by Richard L. Dugdale, and Estabrook's findings were used to support the implementation of eugenic policies, including forced sterilization.

Publications

Estabrook authored several publications during his career, including "The Jukes in 1915" and "The Nam Family: A Study in Cacogenics." These works were influential in the eugenics movement and were used to justify social policies aimed at improving the genetic quality of the population.

Controversy and legacy

The work of Arthur Estabrook and other eugenicists has been widely criticized for its ethical implications and scientific validity. The eugenics movement, which Estabrook was a part of, has been discredited due to its association with racism, discrimination, and human rights abuses. Despite this, Estabrook's work remains a significant part of the history of social science and genetics.

Later life

After the decline of the eugenics movement, Estabrook continued to work in the field of social research. He retired in the 1950s and lived a quiet life until his death in 1973.

Related pages

• Eugenics in the United States
• Eugenics Record Office
• Jukes family
• Kallikak family