| RefNo | AP/3/20 |
| Previous numbers | AP.3.20 |
| Level | Item |
| Title | Unpublished paper, 'An account of a female of the white race of mankind, part of whose skin resembles that of a negroe [sic], with some observations on the causes of the differences in colour and form between the white and negroe [sic] races of men' by William Charles Wells |
| Date | [early 19th century] |
| Description | Wells provides an account of a white woman who was born with a form of hyperpigmentation, resulting in patches of dark skin. Wells discusses the differences between white people and Black people, suggesting that perhaps darker skin developed in people of African descent in order to protect them from hotter climates. Corrections appear in ink throughout.
Subject: Physiology / Biology
Wells published this paper posthumously alongside two other essays and a memoir of his life in 1818: Wells, William Charles. 'Two essays: one upon single vision with two eyes; the other on dew: a letter to the Right Hon. Lloyd, Lord Kenyon, and an account of a female of the white race of mankind, part of whose skin resembled that of a negro [sic]; with some observations on the causes of the differences in colour and form between the white and negro [sic] races of men / by the late William Charles Wells, with a memoir of his life, written by himself.' London: Archibald Constable and Co, 1818. |
| Extent | 12p |
| Format | Manuscript |
| PhysicalDescription | Ink on paper |
| Digital images | View item on Science in the Making |
| AccessStatus | Open |
| URLDescription | Also available online at the Wellcome Collection |
| URL | https://wellcomecollection.org/works/mev2d737 |
Fellows associated with this archive
| Code | PersonName | Dates |
| NA7928 | Wells; William Charles (1757 - 1817) | 1757 - 1817 |