Charles Matthias Goethe (1875-1966) is known as an American philanthropist, naturalist and author. Though these aspects of his life are true, many who write about Goethe fail to mention his less savory characteristics; Goethe was also a proud eugenicist and Nazi sympathizer. Eugenicists are those who believe in and support the practice of eugenics, or the selective breeding of people with “desirable” traits, usually motivated by racism or other bigoted views. Goethe founded the Eugenics Society of Northern California in 1933 and served as president of the Eugenics Research Association from 1935-1936. His beliefs are deplorable, though we at Sac State benefit from them.5
Goethe has a long legacy with Sacramento State University, starting all the way back to its founding. Goethe, a very rich man, helped to found Sacramento State University, the old name for California State University Sacramento, and continued to donate to it throughout his life. His generosity with his money led to Sacramento State University’s first president Guy West saying that Goethe was “Sacramento’s most remarkable citizen”. Goethe donated the University Arboretum, at the time called the Goethe Arboretum, and his works, house and the equivalent of $2.17 million to the university upon his death.6
Though Sacramento State University, now CSUS, benefited greatly from Charles Goethe monetarily, the university has tried to distance themselves from the man in recent decades. As eugenics became a more fringe belief associated with death and terror, Sacramento State has tried to wipe their hands of Goethe. His name was quietly removed from the arboretum sign in 2005 but his money was still used within the past decade. Goethe continues to have plaques dedicated to him as a “friend of man and nature” on the Sacramento State Campus. The science building erected with his money only displayed his name for a day, as was legally required, before it was removed and replaced. Symposiums discussing eugenics and Goethe have been held at the university only after past administrations fought the decision. Only recently with President Nelson has the university started to face its past, though some wonder if it is too little too late. 7
Sac State must reckon with its past with Charles Goethe in order to create a new path forward. Currently, California State University, Sacramento is a college that has been funded by a man who was the proud leader of a hate group and they have accepted it. If the University wants to create a new legacy, built upon something other than hate, they must first address their past. For the campus to become a safe place for people of all different ethnic and racial backgrounds, the university must take a stand against eugenics, even if that means taking a stand against one of their largest historical donors. Until then, Sac State has not yet earned the trust or respect of its students.
Bibliography
Charles Goethe Collection. University Archives, California State University, Sacramento, California.
Craft, George S. California State University, Sacramento: The First Forty Years: 1947-1987. California State University, 1987.
Sandoval, Timothy. “Donor?S Past Prompts Many to Engage in Campus History.” The State Hornet, 2023. https://statehornet.com/2010/03/donors-past-prompts-many-to-engage-in-campus-history/.
I had no idea that Sacramento State had such a dark history entangled with Eugenics. I would love to know what your specific suggestions are for Sacramento State in terms of taking accountability for its history. Personally I believe that whatever funding is still left over from Goethe’s donations should be given towards the Sciences or Ethnic studies departments so they can conduct their own research in exposing the dark history of Eugenics and amplify the stories of ethnic minorities in the area and disprove the beliefs of Goethe.
I specifically clicked on this project to read because I recently attended the Anti-Racism Spring symposium at Sac State, particularly in the “Confronting the Legacy of Eugenics” panel and I learned about Goethe and the awful history entangled between him and Sacramento State. After learning about it I’m glad to see that people are continuing to spread awareness on this subject.
Wow, this is outstanding! I knew a little bit about Goethe’s contribution to CSUS but not to this extent. It is unbelievable that our university still used funds from Goethe within the last decade. I agree that if we want to move forward with these ideas of inclusivity and diversity, we need to acknowledge our dark past. The symposiums should be an event that is heavily advertised to all students and even the city of Sacramento so that everyone can be made aware of this issue. The same flock that is made against the Nazi graffiti around campus, should be the same about Goethe. If Sac State was vocal about this issue, it would not only win the respect of its students but of the world.
I appreciate an informative post such as this. I had no idea about Goethe’s involvement with CSUS and it’s founding. I’m curious to know what influence did Goethe have in policy making or hiring of staff for the university if at all or if he ever served as a consultant or on a board of trustees. Its’ clear that Goethe’s legacy has been largely unreckoned with, and it’s important to understand how he impacted the development of the university. I think it’s important to recognize the wrongs of the pasts, acknowledge the harm caused and ensure it never happens again. I think the university should create a memorial or another form of recognition for the victims of eugenics to honor them and their legacy.
I find it very interesting that many people along with myself may know Goethe has been a huge donor and great contributor to Sacramento State, however, I had no idea about his horrific past. It is clear that Sacramento State is going to continue to use any of the funding that Goethe has donated but it is very important that they distance themselves from him, as his beliefs are not welcomed in todays society.
I really had no idea a man like this was involved in the history of Sacramento State. It is quite interesting how the university distancing themselves from him and his name but still benefits from his involvement in the school through the use of the money he left for the university. I personally don’t agree with that because to me it should be all or nothing. The money can be donated if being associated with the man is an issue. But that’s just history, during his lifetime he was renowned and now when times change, he is a monster. Very interesting.