Burt as hero and anti-hero: a Greek tragedy

Abstract

This chapter provides a personal impression of Burt, from the point of view of a pupil through BA, and PhD apprenticeship. The author of this chapter also worked in Burt's department for a while. The chapter discusses two important matters that arise from the persecution he suffered at the hands of the media, and from the notion that if Burt cheated, then the theories of genetic determination of differences in intelligence he advocated must be wrong. And finally, the chapter devotes some space to a discussion of the reason why so many famous scientists seem to have published fraudulent data. It seemed possible that their historical misdemeanours might throw some light on Burt's motivation — if indeed there is anything to explain. The chapter deals very summarily with what is undoubtedly the main question in most people's mind: Did Burt invent data and commit all the sins of which he stands accused?

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