A chapter he contributed to a 1934 book on The Chances of Morbid Inheritance (edited by Carlos Blacker) has been described as "remarkable for its total admiration for the German work and workers".
Particularly remarkable was Lewis' ardent enthusiasm for the sterilization and racial hygiene policies being championed at the time by one of Hitler's favorite scientists, the Nazi eugenicist Ernst Rudin.
[6] In his chapter, Lewis advocated state measures to limit genetic transmission by "many tramps, criminals, swindlers, irresponsibles and chronic dependants, agitators, hysterics - a large part of the social problem group.
It has been said that the flowering of British psychiatry after World War II can be attributed to three factors: a long humanitarian tradition; the National Health Service and Aubrey Lewis.
[5] Lewis built a reputation as a leader, educator and administrator and is credited with moulding the Institute into a model of scientific research and teaching attracting many of the most promising medical graduates from around the world.
He is also credited with raising the profile of psychiatry worldwide, through his work as an adviser to general medical bodies, national and international research councils, and political organisations.