Who discovered the twin method?

Behav Genet. 1990 Mar;20(2):277-85. doi: 10.1007/BF01067795.

Abstract

The twin method is usually credited to Francis Galton's 1875 article on twins. However, Galton did not propose the comparison between identical and fraternal twin resemblance which is the essence of the twin method. Although the twin method was "in the air" in the mid-1920s, the first descriptions of the method appeared in an article by Curtis Merriman and in a book by Hermann Siemens, both in 1924, 50 years after Galton's paper.

Publication types

  • Historical Article
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Genetics, Behavioral / history*
  • Genetics, Behavioral / methods
  • History, 19th Century
  • History, 20th Century
  • Humans
  • Twins / history*