Joseph DeJarnette

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Joseph Spencer DeJarnette

Joseph Spencer DeJarnette (September 29, 1866 – September 3, 1957) was an American physician and eugenicist. He was a prominent advocate for the eugenics movement in the United States and served as the superintendent of the Western State Hospital in Staunton, Virginia for over three decades.

Early Life and Education

DeJarnette was born in Staunton, Virginia, and he pursued his medical education at the University of Virginia and the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He graduated with a medical degree in 1888.

Career

DeJarnette began his career in medicine as a general practitioner before becoming involved in the field of psychiatry. In 1905, he was appointed as the superintendent of the Western State Hospital, a position he held until 1943. During his tenure, he became a leading figure in the American eugenics movement.

Eugenics Advocacy

DeJarnette was a staunch supporter of eugenics, a movement that aimed to improve the genetic quality of the human population through selective breeding and sterilization. He believed that mental illness and other undesirable traits were hereditary and could be eliminated through eugenic practices. DeJarnette was instrumental in the passage of Virginia's sterilization laws, which led to the forced sterilization of thousands of individuals deemed "unfit" to reproduce.

Legacy

DeJarnette's legacy is controversial due to his advocacy for eugenics and the impact of his work on the lives of many individuals who were subjected to forced sterilization. The DeJarnette Center, a facility for children with mental health issues, was named in his honor but was later renamed due to the negative connotations associated with his eugenics work.

Death

Joseph DeJarnette died on September 3, 1957, in Staunton, Virginia.

See Also

• Eugenics in the United States
• Sterilization law in the United States
• Western State Hospital (Virginia)
• History of psychiatry