Orson Squire Fowler

Orson Squire Fowler

Orson Squire Fowler (1809–1887) was a prominent 19th-century American phrenologist, lecturer, and author, who popularized the octagon house for its purported health benefits and efficiency. Fowler was a key figure in the phrenology movement in the United States, which posited that the shape and size of various areas of the brain affected personality and behavior. He was also an advocate for various social reforms, including vegetarianism, sexual education, and dress reform.

Early Life and Education

Orson Squire Fowler was born on October 11, 1809, in Cohocton, New York. He pursued his education at Amherst College, where he was introduced to the study of phrenology. This encounter would shape the rest of his professional life and lead him to become one of the most famous American phrenologists.

Career

After completing his education, Fowler began lecturing on phrenology, traveling across the United States to promote the discipline. He believed that by examining the bumps and indentations on a person's skull, one could determine their personality traits, mental capabilities, and moral character.

In 1838, Fowler, along with his brother Lorenzo Niles Fowler and sister Charlotte Fowler Wells, established the Fowler & Wells Phrenological Cabinet in New York City, which served as a museum, publishing house, and consultation office for phrenology. This establishment became the center of phrenological study and publication in the United States.

Fowler was also a prolific writer, authoring several books on phrenology, including "The Phrenological Almanac," "Phrenology Proved, Illustrated, and Applied," and "Self-Instructor in Phrenology and Physiology." His works contributed significantly to the spread of phrenological ideas throughout America and abroad.

Octagon House

Beyond phrenology, Fowler is perhaps best remembered for his promotion of the octagon house as an ideal architectural form. In 1848, he published "A Home for All," in which he argued that octagon-shaped houses were more economical to build, allowed for more efficient use of space, and provided better light and ventilation than traditional four-sided homes. This book led to a brief but notable trend in the construction of octagon houses in North America.

Personal Life and Legacy

Fowler's interests were not limited to phrenology and architecture. He was an advocate for several social reform movements, including dietary reforms, sexual education, and the promotion of more practical clothing for women. His work in these areas, however, was often overshadowed by his contributions to phrenology and architecture.

Orson Squire Fowler died on August 18, 1887. While phrenology has since been discredited as a science, Fowler's impact on American culture and his role in popularizing the octagon house are still remembered. His publications on phrenology remain a fascinating insight into 19th-century American thought and the period's scientific and social movements.