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Synopsis An early work by Giddings, designed as a basis for statistical studies, which largely concentrated on the particular ethnic and racial characteristics of various national groups, this work was to prove his most important work. Franklin Henry Giddings (1855-1931) was an American sociologist. In 1894 he became professor of sociology at Columbia University, where he earned a reputation as a brilliant teacher. His explanation of social phenomena was based on the principle of “consciousness of kind”-his theory that each person has an innate sense of belonging to particular social groups. Giddings encouraged statistical studies in sociology. His most important works are the Principles of Sociology (1896), Studies in the Theory of Human Society (1922), and The Scientific Study of Human Society (1924).