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  • © 2017

Religion and Racial Progress in Twentieth-Century Britain

Bishop Barnes of Birmingham

Palgrave Macmillan
  • Examines the relationship between religion and eugenics in light of the wider political, moral and scientific debates of the early twentieth century

  • Offers a detailed assessment of a significant figure in the history of British eugenics

  • Considers the importance of eugenics within national discourses during this period

  • Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

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Table of contents (6 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-ix
  2. Introduction

    • Patrick T. Merricks
    Pages 1-25
  3. Anglican Modernism

    • Patrick T. Merricks
    Pages 27-72
  4. Heredity and Race

    • Patrick T. Merricks
    Pages 73-112
  5. The Eugenic Philosophy

    • Patrick T. Merricks
    Pages 113-166
  6. Negative Eugenics

    • Patrick T. Merricks
    Pages 167-217
  7. Conclusion

    • Patrick T. Merricks
    Pages 219-231
  8. Back Matter

    Pages 233-250

About this book

This book is the first in-depth analysis of Ernest William Barnes’ Christian-eugenic philosophy: ‘bio-spiritual determinism’. As a testament to the popularity of the movement, mid-twentieth century British eugenics is contextualized within a remarkably diverse selection of discourses including secular and Anglican interpretations of modernism, poverty, population, gender equality, pacifism and racism. This begins to address the scholastic gap on Christian eugenics while highlighting the perseverance of eugenic racism after World War Two.

Authors and Affiliations

  • School of History, Philosophy and Culture, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, United Kingdom

    Patrick T. Merricks

About the author

Patrick T. Merricks is Lecturer in modern history, Director of the Working Group in the History of Race and Eugenics and Research Fellow of the Centre for Medical Humanities at Oxford Brookes University, UK. 

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Religion and Racial Progress in Twentieth-Century Britain

  • Book Subtitle: Bishop Barnes of Birmingham

  • Authors: Patrick T. Merricks

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-53988-1

  • Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan Cham

  • eBook Packages: History, History (R0)

  • Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2017

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-319-53987-4Published: 20 July 2017

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-3-319-85291-1Published: 01 August 2018

  • eBook ISBN: 978-3-319-53988-1Published: 05 July 2017

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: IX, 250

  • Number of Illustrations: 3 b/w illustrations, 1 illustrations in colour

  • Topics: History of Britain and Ireland, History of Religion, History of Science, Modern History

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access