Arthur Keith facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Arthur Keith
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Arthur Keith
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| Born | 5 February 1866 |
| Died | 7 January 1955 (aged 88) |
| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | University of Aberdeen |
| Known for | Group selection |
| Awards | Fellow of the Royal Society |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | |
Sir Arthur Keith (born February 5, 1866 – died January 7, 1955) was a famous British scientist. He studied the human body (an anatomist) and human societies and origins (an anthropologist). He was a member of the Royal Society and the Royal Anthropological Institute.
He was known for his ideas about how humans evolved. He also helped discover the sinoatrial node, which is the part of the heart that makes it beat. Later in his life, he was involved with the Piltdown Man discovery, which turned out to be a fake. He accepted it was a forgery shortly before he passed away.
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Arthur Keith's Life and Education
Arthur Keith was born on a farm in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. His father, John Keith, was a farmer. Arthur went to school at Gordon's College in Aberdeen.
He earned a medical degree from the University of Aberdeen in 1888. After that, he traveled to Thailand in 1889. There, he collected plants for the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in London.
Becoming a Scientist
When he returned to Britain in 1892, Keith continued his studies. He focused on anatomy at University College London and the University of Aberdeen. In 1893, he won a special prize for his work on ligaments in humans and apes.
In 1894, he became a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. In 1908, he became in charge of the museum there. This made him more interested in how humans evolved.
Key Discoveries and Roles
Arthur Keith is famous for discovering the sinoatrial node in 1906. This tiny part of the heart acts like a natural pacemaker, telling your heart when to beat. He made this important discovery with his student, Martin Flack.
He also became the President of the Royal Anthropological Institute. This role helped him explore his ideas about human evolution even more. He later wrote a book called A New Theory of Human Evolution.
He was the editor of the Journal of Anatomy for many years (1915-1936). He also led the Anatomical Society of Great Britain and Ireland. In 1913, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society, a very high honor for scientists. He was knighted in 1921, meaning he received the title "Sir."
In 1932, he helped start a research institute in Downe, Kent. He worked there until he died. He married Cecilia Caroline Gray in 1899, but they did not have children. He passed away at his home in Downe in 1955.
Ideas About Human Evolution
Arthur Keith was a leading expert in studying human fossils. He had some strong ideas about how humans developed over time.
Group Selection Theory
Keith believed that humans evolved by living in small groups that often competed with each other. He called this idea "group selection." He thought that different groups of people developed unique ways of life and even physical differences.
He suggested that not only physical barriers (like mountains or oceans) kept groups separate, but also cultural differences. He emphasized the idea of an 'in-group' (people who belong to your community) and an 'out-group' (people from other communities). He believed that these groups often had a natural tendency to be territorial and competitive.
Views on Human Groups
Keith thought that different human groups had evolved with specific traits. He wrote about how communities form and survive. For example, he discussed how some groups developed strong community bonds and traditions to help them survive, even when facing challenges from outside groups. He believed that these strong internal connections helped groups maintain their identity and strength.
He also had a view that human groups should generally stay separate. He believed that mixing between different major human groups could lead to less capable offspring. This idea was based on observations in animal breeding, which he thought could apply to humans. These views are considered outdated and harmful today.
European Origin Hypothesis
Keith, along with another British anthropologist named Grafton Elliot Smith, strongly believed that humans first evolved in Europe. They were against the idea that humans might have come from Asia or Africa.
For example, when Raymond Dart found an early human ancestor fossil called Australopithecus africanus in Africa in 1925, Keith did not accept it. He thought it was just a young ape, not related to human ancestors. This shows how strong his belief was in the European origin of humans.
The Piltdown Man Mystery
Arthur Keith was a big supporter of the Piltdown Man, which was a fossil discovery in England. It was thought to be a very important early human ancestor. However, it was later proven to be a fake, a hoax.
Some researchers, like Frank Spencer, suggested that Keith might have been involved in preparing the fake fossils. Others have pointed to different people. The exact truth about who created the hoax is still debated today.
Important Books by Arthur Keith
Arthur Keith wrote many books about anatomy and human evolution. Here are a few of his well-known works:
- A Manual of Practical Anatomy (1901): Written with Alfred William Hughes, this was a guide for studying the human body.
- Concerning Man's Origins (1927): In this book, Keith explored his ideas about human beginnings. He even suggested that Britain's cold climate helped people become resourceful, leading to the Industrial Revolution.
- The Place of Prejudice in Modern Civilisation (1931): In this address, Keith argued that certain natural feelings, which he called "prejudices," could play a role in human affairs when guided by reason. He believed these feelings helped people survive and maintain community well-being.
- A New Theory of Human Evolution (1948): This book explained his ideas about how humans, different groups, and cultures evolved together. It covered topics like patriotism and how groups interact, including the idea of 'in-group versus out-group' behavior.
- An Autobiography (1950): Keith wrote his own life story when he was 84 years old. He shared how he became a scientist and talked about important people he met.
- Darwin Revalued (1955): Living near Charles Darwin's old home, Keith became very interested in Darwin's life and work. In this book, he shared details about Darwin's family and career.
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Arthur Keith
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