The Orphans of Davenport

"The Orphans of Davenport" recounts the groundbreaking research of Harold Skeels and Marie Skodak in 1934, which challenged prevailing beliefs about intelligence and heredity by demonstrating the impact of environmental care on children's IQs. Through extensive archival research, Marilyn Brookwood highlights how their findings, initially met with controversy due to eugenic ideologies, ultimately contributed to a broader understanding of the interaction between nature and nurture. The book emphasizes the importance of their scientific vision amid a historically tumultuous period marked by rising white supremacy.