Lothrop Stoddard

Lothrop Stoddard, born on June twenty-ninth, eighteen eighty-three, was a prominent American anthropologist, political scientist, historian, journalist, and jurist. His work spanned various fields, but he is perhaps best known for his controversial views on race and society. Stoddard's writings, which included titles such as The Rising Tide of Color Against White World-Supremacy, advocated for eugenics, white supremacy, and a racial hierarchy that he believed should be preserved through anti-miscegenation laws.

Stoddard's influence extended beyond the United States, as his books gained traction among various groups, including the Ku Klux Klan, where they were recommended reading. He was also affiliated with the American Eugenics Society and played a significant role as a founding member and board member of the American Birth Control League, which later evolved into the Planned Parenthood Federation of America.

His work had a notable impact on the Nazi regime in Germany, with his book The Revolt Against Civilization: The Menace of the Under-man potentially introducing the term Untermensch into Nazi racial discussions. During the early months of World War II, Stoddard traveled to Germany as a journalist, where he received preferential treatment for interviews with Nazi officials and even had a brief encounter with Adolf Hitler.

Despite his initial popularity, Stoddard's writings fell out of favor after the war, reflecting a broader societal shift away from the ideologies he espoused. His legacy remains a complex and contentious part of American history, illustrating the intersection of academia and extremist thought.