In 1853, advanced the idea that racial admixture determined the rise and decline of great civilizations, an idea that later influenced eugenicists and provided a rationale for restrictive immigration policies. joseph arthur comte de gobineau herbert spencer madison grant francis galton

A. Joseph Arthur de Gobineau. Gobineau was a French writer and diplomat best known for developing the theory of the Aryan master race which supported racist views as a scientific racist theory. His theory posited that aristocrats were superior to commoners, or lower class citizens, because they had purer bloodlines from lesser racial genetic mixing. Gobineau's theories went on to influence many white supremacists, including Richard Wagner and Nazi party leaders.