JOURNAL ARTICLE

Beauty and the Brain: The Science of Human Nature in Early America by Rachel E. Walker (review).

  • Published In: Bulletin of the History of Medicine, 2024, v. 98, n. 3. P. 464 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Mitchell, Paul Wolff 3 of 3

Abstract

"Beauty and the Brain: The Science of Human Nature in Early America" by Rachel E. Walker explores the fascination with physiognomy and phrenology in the United States from 1770 to 1860. The book delves into how these disciplines were used to interpret moral and intellectual qualities, construct social hierarchies, and challenge existing inequalities. Walker highlights the adoption of physiognomy and phrenology by Black Americans and white women in their fight for racial justice and gender equality, showcasing the diverse ways in which these popular sciences were utilized. The book's intersectional focus on gender and race within the context of early American popular discourses makes it a valuable resource for historians interested in the cultural, literary, and visual traces of physiognomy and phrenology in the United States. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Bulletin of the History of Medicine. 2024/09, Vol. 98, Issue 3, p464
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Health and Medicine
  • Publication Date:2024
  • ISSN:0007-5140
  • DOI:10.1353/bhm.2024.a944549
  • Accession Number:181469176
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Bulletin of the History of Medicine is the property of Johns Hopkins University Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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