[@Wernher]I was thinking more along the lines of Shelley's Frankenstein, or Well' Invisible Man or New Accelerator.
I don't remember any classic 19th century "sci-fi" which featured self-replicating evolving monsters or anything like that.

As for races, well it's given that other races would be targets of discrimination and would compose the minority. Also like I said they should not be "overpowered" or "overcompetent" in their presentation. Dwarfs can be tougher than humans and can carry more but it wouldn't be such a huge rift that a brawl between a human and a dwarf is practically a one-sided beating.
For example i made a rather comprehensive description for elves where they have some obvious advantages but also certain obvious drawbacks compared to humans. Thus the idea of elves being better was just the product of their arrogance.