In 1863, during a session of the British Association for the Advancement of Science in Newcastle, Dr. James Hunt made a controversial claim about racial distinctions. He suggested that people of African descent were a separate species, positioned between monkeys and Europeans on the evolutionary scale. This assertion reflected the prevailing racial theories of the time and exemplified the racist ideologies that were often propagated within scientific discourse.

Hunt's remarks highlight the intersection of science and racism in the 19th century British Empire. His statement not only dehumanized individuals based on race but also illustrated how scientific institutions and intellectuals contributed to the justification of imperial attitudes and policies. This perspective shaped societal views on race and has had lasting implications in discussions of human diversity and equality.