Johann Friedrich Blumenbach - 9781138738423

Taylor & Francis

Johann Friedrich BlumenbachRace and Natural History, 17501850\nAuthor(s): Nicolaas Rupke, Gerhard Lauer\nFormat: Hardback\nPublisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd, United Kingdom\nImprint: Routledge\nISBN-13: 9781138738423, 978-1138738423\nSynopsis\nThe major significance of the German naturalist-physician Johann Friedrich Blumenbach [tel] as a topic of historical study is the fact that he was one of the first anthropologists to investigate humankind as part of natural history. Moreover, Blumenbach was, and continues to be, a central figure in debates about race and racism.\n\nHow exactly did Blumenbach define race and races? What were his scientific criteria? And which cultural values did he bring to bear on his scheme? Little historical work has been done on Blumenbachs fundamental, influential race work. From his own time till today, several different pronouncements have been made by either followers or opponents, some accusing Blumenbach of being the fountainhead of scientific racism.