The Natural History of the Varieties of Man

The Natural History of the Varieties of Man by Robert Gordon Latham is a comprehensive 19th-century work that examines the physical, linguistic, and cultural differences among human populations. Drawing on anthropology, ethnology, and comparative philology, Latham challenges prevailing racial theories of his time, particularly those advocating polygenism, and supports the idea of a single human origin (monogenism). He systematically analyzes human variation through skull shapes, skin color, language, and geography, emphasizing the influence of environment and migration. The book reflects Victorian scientific thought and seeks to classify humanity within a unified framework, contributing significantly to early anthropological and ethnological studies.