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Thomas Malthus

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Philosopher

The Resume

    (February 13, 1766-December 23, 1834)
    Born in Dorking, Surrey, England, United Kingdom
    Wrote 'An Essay on the Principle of Population' (1798)
    Argued that population growth, if left unchecked, would inevitably outstrip food supplies
    Said that war, pestilence and crime were necessary evils to keep populations in check

Why he might be annoying:

    Despite his belief that unchecked population growth was disastrous, he opposed the use of contraceptives.
    Influencd by his theories, the British governors of India during the 19th century refused to provide aid during famines. In some cases, they even blocked private relief efforts.
    Friedrich Engels called his ideas 'the crudest, most barbarous theory that ever existed.'
    He had three children, making his own contribution to overpopulation.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He was born with a cleft palate and hare lip.
    Concerns about his theories prompted Britain to hold its first modern census.
    His writings about the 'struggle for existence' inspired Charles Darwin to develop the theory of evolution through natural selection.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 7 Votes: 85.71% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 55 Votes: 74.55% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 7 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 57 Votes: 52.63% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 8 Votes: 37.50% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 17 Votes: 64.71% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 11 Votes: 63.64% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 38 Votes: 55.26% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 32 Votes: 71.88% Annoying
    In 2007, Out of 52 Votes: 61.54% Annoying