At a glance
Dr. Richard Kellogg, professor emeritus of psychology at Alfred State college, is the author of an article appearing in the most recent issue of THE SERPENTINE MUSE, a quarterly literary journal. Titled “Francis Galton: A Suitable Companion for the Great Detective,” the article notes that Sir Francis Galton (1822-1911), the eminent British psychologist, shared a number of hobbies, attitudes, and social values with Conan Doyle’s literary creation, Sherlock Holmes.
Dr. Richard Kellogg, professor emeritus of psychology at Alfred State college, is the author of an article appearing in the most recent issue of THE SERPENTINE MUSE, a quarterly literary journal. Titled “Francis Galton: A Suitable Companion for the Great Detective,” the article notes that Sir Francis Galton (1822-1911), the eminent British psychologist, shared a number of hobbies, attitudes, and social values with Conan Doyle’s literary creation, Sherlock Holmes.
The author states that Galton and Holmes had shared interests in travel and exploration, the new theory of evolution proposed by Charles Darwin, and the controversial science of eugenics. Galton and Holmes also shared a fascination with the new treatment of psychoanalysis being developed by Dr. Sigmund Freud in Vienna. Finally, Galton created the first practical system of fingerprinting in 1892 and Holmes frequently employed fingerprint analysis during his career as a private investigator.
Kellogg is the author of three books and numerous articles dealing with Sherlock Holmes. He has lectured on the educational applications of the Holmes adventures at Alfred State College, Alfred University, Colby College, and Stevens Institute of Technology. His most recent book on this subject is titled Vignettes of Sherlock Holmes (Gryphon Books, 2008).