Above: Sir Francis Galton an English scientist who popularized the idea of Eugenics

The eugenics movement of the early twentieth century grew out of the research and writings of the English scientist, Sir Francis Galton (1822-1911). Galton, the half-cousin of Charles Darwin, had a variety of interests included psychology, genetics, and statistics. Among his beliefs was the idea that government intervention could help promote the biological improvement of humans.

As part of the movement many states, including North Carolina, enacted laws that allowed sterilization of the "mentally diseased, feeble minded or epileptic." North Carolina's first sterilization law was enacted in 1929. Four years later the General Assembly created the Eugenics Board to review sterilization cases. Subsequently renamed the Eugenics Commission, it remained a part of the state's government until it was abolished in 1977.

This web project, presented by the State Library of North Carolina features the works of the Eugenics Board/Commission as well as literature related to the Eugenics movement in North Carolina between 1929 and 1977.