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Show CHAPTER I ANCESTRY AND BOYHOOD Henry Eyring wrote on one occasion: "Undoubtedly the prospective scientist should arrange to be born with the right genes. Anyone who has examined the variations to be found among individuals with ostensible equivalent training cannot escape this conclusion. However, even the gifted individual requires a stimulating environment."1 Even a superficial examination of Eyring's ancestry and his life reveals that the potential for being born with the right genes was there and that during his entire life he enjoyed a stimulating environment. With- out question, Eyring is a gifted person intellectually and he admitted on several occasions that he has had every advantage throughout his er.2 A knowledge of one's origins provides important insight into some of the characteristics of one's life. Eyring. This is particularly true of It seems that he received, either genetically or through his family surroundings, some of the very best qualities and traits of his ancestors. According to family genealogists the name Eyring is reputed to be the name of the pagan God of Light and the German family from whom Henry Eyring descends adopted the name Eyring when they accepted Chris- 3 tianity. Interestingly enough the Eyrings during the eighteenth century and early nineteenth century were well-to-do apothecaries; an |
