Robert A. Gordon
Encyclopedia
Robert A. Gordon is an American
sociologist best known for his work on intelligence, criminality, and race.
Born in New York City
, he served in the United States Army
from 1955-1957. Gordon earned his B.A. from the College of the City of New York
in 1957, then attended the University of Chicago
, earning his M.A. in 1961 and his Ph.D. in 1963. That year, he began teaching at Johns Hopkins University
, until retiring in 2005.
He was the second husband of Linda Gottfredson
and he was one of 52 signatories on "Mainstream Science on Intelligence
," an editorial written by Gottfredson and published in the Wall Street Journal, which declared the consensus of the signing scholars on issues related to race and intelligence
following the publication of the book The Bell Curve
. He has also criticized a 1994 ABC news report on the Pioneer Fund
in an extensive commentary. Gordon and Gottfredson have both received money from the controversial fund.
In an interview Gordon stated in response to the question "Do you think that people with low IQs should be paid to be sterilized?" replied:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
sociologist best known for his work on intelligence, criminality, and race.
Born in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, he served in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
from 1955-1957. Gordon earned his B.A. from the College of the City of New York
City College of New York
The City College of the City University of New York is a senior college of the City University of New York , in New York City. It is also the oldest of the City University's twenty-three institutions of higher learning...
in 1957, then attended the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
, earning his M.A. in 1961 and his Ph.D. in 1963. That year, he began teaching at Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins University
The Johns Hopkins University, commonly referred to as Johns Hopkins, JHU, or simply Hopkins, is a private research university based in Baltimore, Maryland, United States...
, until retiring in 2005.
He was the second husband of Linda Gottfredson
Linda Gottfredson
Linda Susanne Gottfredson is a professor of educational psychology at the University of Delaware and co-director of the Delaware-Johns Hopkins Project for the Study of Intelligence and Society. Gottfredson's work has been influential in shaping U.S...
and he was one of 52 signatories on "Mainstream Science on Intelligence
Mainstream Science on Intelligence
Mainstream Science on Intelligence was a public statement issued by a group of academic researchers in fields allied to intelligence testing that claimed to present those findings widely accepted in the expert community...
," an editorial written by Gottfredson and published in the Wall Street Journal, which declared the consensus of the signing scholars on issues related to race and intelligence
Race and intelligence
The connection between race and intelligence has been a subject of debate in both popular science and academic research since the inception of intelligence testing in the early 20th century...
following the publication of the book The Bell Curve
The Bell Curve
The Bell Curve is a best-selling and controversial 1994 book by the Harvard psychologist Richard J. Herrnstein and political scientist Charles Murray...
. He has also criticized a 1994 ABC news report on the Pioneer Fund
Pioneer Fund
The Pioneer Fund is an American non-profit foundation established in 1937 "to advance the scientific study of heredity and human differences." Currently headed by psychology professor J. Philippe Rushton, the fund states that it focuses on projects it perceives will not be easily funded due to...
in an extensive commentary. Gordon and Gottfredson have both received money from the controversial fund.
In an interview Gordon stated in response to the question "Do you think that people with low IQs should be paid to be sterilized?" replied: