Phrenology and the Origins of Victorian Scientific Naturalism

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The book reassesses phrenology, focusing on George Combe's influential work, which predates Darwin's theories and arguably laid the groundwork for them. It posits that Combe's "The Constitution of Man in Relation to External Objects" was more impactful than "The Origin of Species," as it outsold Darwin's book and shaped Victorian scientific thought. By highlighting Combe's significance, the work offers new insights into Victorian naturalism and enriches the understanding of the era's intellectual landscape.