The Phrenological Journal

Several prominent historical figures underwent phrenological analyses by the Fowlers and the findings published in the journal; these include abolitionist Lydia Maria Child and writer Mark Twain.

[2]: 73  It was published by Fowler & Wells Company,[4] and it attributed the rise of interest in phrenology during the 1830s to Johann Spurzheim and George Combe.

[5]: 178 In its first issue, the journal explained that its purpose was support the theories underlying phrenology – a pseudoscientific and racist area of research correlating skull measurements to personality and intelligence – and to apply them.

[2]: 72–73, 78  It was an eclectic periodical; in addition to its phrenological research, it acquired and published writing in the domains of medical science, physiognomy, and in some unrelated areas, such as education.

[6]: 46  Though phrenology was deeply steeped in racism, an article republished in 1847 was relatively progressive in tone: Descendants of Africans were able to possess "as good a brain [...] as would be possessed by any white, under the same circumstances", if they so desired and continually worked to foster intellectual development.