A reprint of a classical work in the Cambridge Library Collection.
William Bateson (1861–1926) began his academic career working on variation in animals in the light of evolutionary theory. He was inspired by the rediscovery of Gregor Mendel's work on plant hybridisation to pursue further experimental work in what he named 'genetics'. He realised that Mendel's results could help to solve difficult biological questions and controversies which others had glossed over, and to challenge assumptions underlying evolution as it was understood at the time. After two years as Professor of Biology at Cambridge he left in 1910 to become Director of the newly founded John Innes Institute. Bateson's argumentative personality and unorthodox approach did not make him popular, and his reputation declined after his death. Was Bateson misunderstood? Was evolution misunderstood? This 1928 volume – including a substantial memoir by Bateson's wife – gives readers access to selected papers and addresses and allows them to consider him afresh.
Part I:
1. Memoir
Part II. Scientific Papers:
2. Hybridisation and crossbreeding
3. Problems of heredity
4. An address on Mendelian heredity
5. Gamete and zygote
6. Heredity and variation in modern lights
7. Presidential address to the zoological section, British Association, 1904
8. Presidential address to the agricultural subsection, British Association, 1911
9. Presidential address to the British Association, Australia, 1914
10. The methods and scope of genetics
11. Biological fact and the structure of society
12. Science and nationality
13. Common-sense in racial problems
14. Evolutionary faith and modern doubts
15. Progress in biology
Part III. Educational Essays:
16. Address to the Salt Schools, Shipley, 1915
17. Evolution and education
18. The place of science in education
19. Classical and modern education
20. Classical education and science men
Part IV. Reviews:
21. Evolution for amateurs
23. Heredity in the physiology of nations
24. Huxley and evolution
Appendix