My read of the SciAm article and of modern criticism of historical figures is this: Without diminishing the accomplishments of historical figures, we can also

My read of the SciAm article and of modern criticism of historical figures is this: Without diminishing the accomplishments of historical figures, we can also choose not to lionize them. All of them were mixtures of flaws and accomplishments. They are heroes to some people and villains to others. We can remember them that way, as a whole. No one is saying we should forget Wilson's accomplishments. We should just remember the other things about him that weren't ahead of his time.