William Krause

This dissertation focuses on the idea of ‘genius’ in American public discourse from 1880 to 1990. This concept was mobilized in diverse domains of American life since the 1880s – including the high-technology laboratory, the classroom, the home, the university, and the insane asylum. The project excavates the history of this discourse, examining how this idea mutated against the backdrop of scientific development. It contributes to existing literature in intellectual history, which often takes for granted the notion of genius by treating it as a natural mental endowment rather than a concept rich with historical meaning. Examining how the concept's meaning shifted over time, this dissertation argues that "genius" discourse exposed American aspirations and anxieties regarding the uneven attempt to transform the United States into a modern society.