Angus McLaren publishes <i>Our Own Master Race</i>

Angus McLaren publishes Our Own Master Race

May 1, 1990. Our Own Master Race: Eugenics in Canada, 1885-1945 by Angus McLaren was published by McClelland and Stewart as part of the Canadian Social History Series. While the history of eugenics in countries such as Great Britain, the United States, France and Germany, had already been introduced and written about, McLaren was, in many ways, the first to do so for Canada.

McLaren divided his work into eight chapters, which each deal with a specific aspect of eugenics. The topics are presented in a semi-chronological order, starting with the ‘birth’ and ending with the ‘death’ of the eugenics movement in Canada. (Shea, 2010). McLaren looks beyond the superficial history and explores the thought processes of those that advocated for the application of eugenics legislation within Canada and those that were against it. Early in his text, he sets the social and political tone of the time in order to help readers understand where ideas supporting eugenics stemmed from. McLaren also thoroughly described early 20th century society’s pre-occupation with so-called ‘feeble minded’ people, and the fears people had towards those with mental and physical disabilities. (Shea, 2010). He comments on the role of medical professionals, including doctors, psychiatrists and psychologists, and their interest and influence on eugenic practices in Canada. (Soloway, 1992).

McLaren’s book is a survey of the history of eugenics in Canada, rather than a reinterpretation or review of it (Soloway, 1992). However, his survey is of Canada as a whole, with no distinct emphasis or focus on Western Canada, where the only laws regarding eugenics were put into place. While McLaren makes few conclusion in his survey, he poses the question of whether or not eugenics has died out or if the idea of eugenics has evolved over the years and remains today, in a different form. Although much more research has been done and more texts have been written on the history of eugenics in Canada, McLaren’s work will remain the first survey which continues to serve as an excellent resource for the facts on Canadian eugenics.

-Laura Shaw

  • McLaren, A. (1990). Our Own Master Race: Eugenics in Canada, 1885-1945. McClelland & Stewart.

  • Soloway, R. A. (1992). Our own master race: eugenics in Canada, 1885-1945. Medical History, 36(2), 225–226.

  • Shea, A. (2010). ‘Our Own Master Race’ Review.

Angus McLaren publishes <i>Our Own Master Race</i>

Angus McLaren publishes Our Own Master Race

May 1, 1990. Our Own Master Race: Eugenics in Canada, 1885-1945 by Angus McLaren was published by McClelland and Stewart as part of the Canadian Social History Series. While the history of eugenics in countries such as Great Britain, the United States, France and Germany, had already been introduced and written about, McLaren was, in many ways, the first to do so for Canada.

McLaren divided his work into eight chapters, which each deal with a specific aspect of eugenics. The topics are presented in a semi-chronological order, starting with the ‘birth’ and ending with the ‘death’ of the eugenics movement in Canada. (Shea, 2010). McLaren looks beyond the superficial history and explores the thought processes of those that advocated for the application of eugenics legislation within Canada and those that were against it. Early in his text, he sets the social and political tone of the time in order to help readers understand where ideas supporting eugenics stemmed from. McLaren also thoroughly described early 20th century society’s pre-occupation with so-called ‘feeble minded’ people, and the fears people had towards those with mental and physical disabilities. (Shea, 2010). He comments on the role of medical professionals, including doctors, psychiatrists and psychologists, and their interest and influence on eugenic practices in Canada. (Soloway, 1992).

McLaren’s book is a survey of the history of eugenics in Canada, rather than a reinterpretation or review of it (Soloway, 1992). However, his survey is of Canada as a whole, with no distinct emphasis or focus on Western Canada, where the only laws regarding eugenics were put into place. While McLaren makes few conclusion in his survey, he poses the question of whether or not eugenics has died out or if the idea of eugenics has evolved over the years and remains today, in a different form. Although much more research has been done and more texts have been written on the history of eugenics in Canada, McLaren’s work will remain the first survey which continues to serve as an excellent resource for the facts on Canadian eugenics.

-Laura Shaw

  • McLaren, A. (1990). Our Own Master Race: Eugenics in Canada, 1885-1945. McClelland & Stewart.

  • Soloway, R. A. (1992). Our own master race: eugenics in Canada, 1885-1945. Medical History, 36(2), 225–226.

  • Shea, A. (2010). ‘Our Own Master Race’ Review.

Angus McLaren publishes Our Own Master Race

May 1, 1990. Our Own Master Race: Eugenics in Canada, 1885-1945 by Angus McLaren was published by McClelland and Stewart as part of the Canadian Social History Series. While the history of eugenics in countries such as Great Britain, the United States, France and Germany, had already been introduced and written about, McLaren was, in many ways, the first to do so for Canada.

McLaren divided his work into eight chapters, which each deal with a specific aspect of eugenics. The topics are presented in a semi-chronological order, starting with the ‘birth’ and ending with the ‘death’ of the eugenics movement in Canada. (Shea, 2010). McLaren looks beyond the superficial history and explores the thought processes of those that advocated for the application of eugenics legislation within Canada and those that were against it. Early in his text, he sets the social and political tone of the time in order to help readers understand where ideas supporting eugenics stemmed from. McLaren also thoroughly described early 20th century society’s pre-occupation with so-called ‘feeble minded’ people, and the fears people had towards those with mental and physical disabilities. (Shea, 2010). He comments on the role of medical professionals, including doctors, psychiatrists and psychologists, and their interest and influence on eugenic practices in Canada. (Soloway, 1992).

McLaren’s book is a survey of the history of eugenics in Canada, rather than a reinterpretation or review of it (Soloway, 1992). However, his survey is of Canada as a whole, with no distinct emphasis or focus on Western Canada, where the only laws regarding eugenics were put into place. While McLaren makes few conclusion in his survey, he poses the question of whether or not eugenics has died out or if the idea of eugenics has evolved over the years and remains today, in a different form. Although much more research has been done and more texts have been written on the history of eugenics in Canada, McLaren’s work will remain the first survey which continues to serve as an excellent resource for the facts on Canadian eugenics.

-Laura Shaw

  • McLaren, A. (1990). Our Own Master Race: Eugenics in Canada, 1885-1945. McClelland & Stewart.

  • Soloway, R. A. (1992). Our own master race: eugenics in Canada, 1885-1945. Medical History, 36(2), 225–226.

  • Shea, A. (2010). ‘Our Own Master Race’ Review.