flrensh Stati.svcians
WARNING
THE MATERIALS AND WORKS MADE AVAILABLE BY C&M ONLINE
MEDIA INC. THROUGH BOSON BOOKS ARE COPYRIGHTED.
YOU ARE PERMITTED TO DOWNLOAD LOCALLY MATERIALS AND
WORKS FROM BOSON BOOKS AND TO MAKE ONE (1) HARD COPY OF
SUCH MATERIALS AND WORKS FOR YOUR PERSONAL USE.
FEDERAL COPYRIGHT LAWS, HOWEVER, PROHIBIT ANY FURTHER
COPYING OR REPRODUCTION OF SUCH MATERIALS AND WORKS, OR
ANY REPUBLICATION OF ANY KIND.
ILLEGAL COPYING OR DISTRIBUTION OF MATERIALS AND WORKS
OBTAINED FROM BOSON BOOKS CO NSTITUTES COPYRIGHT
INFRINGEMENT. ILLEGAL COPIES OF SUCH MATERIAL AND WORKS
CAN BE SEIZED AND DESTROYED. FURTHERMORE, MATERIALS AND
WORKS CREATED BY YOU OR OTHERS USING COPYRIGHTED
MATERIALS OBTAINED FROM BOSON BOOKS WITHOUT THE
WRITTEN AUTHORIZATION OF C&M ONLINE MEDIA, INC. ALSO CAN
BE SEIZED AND DESTROYED. COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT CAN BE
INVESTIGATED BY THE FBI. CRIMINAL CONVICTIONS MAY REST= IN
IMPRISONMENT OR A FINE OF UP TO $250,000, OR BOTH.
BOSON BOOKS
liremhShasm.-rarI
PublisIKAI hy Boson. Books
Ficid Lane
R;ik,igh, NC 2).f.0:11;:
ISBN I -03242- 14-X
if CALM Online Media hit.
CorwriOit
Richard H. Williams, Donald W. Z mmerman, Donald C. Ross, Bnmo
D. Zumbo
R3r
thi.41.1q
CALM Online Media Inc.
T.10.S) Mcidow Field Latic
R;i1cigh, NC 2
Fax: 9:919...t i.l. -41!.)
v-niAillmsnivii;:cmonttriu.cfpni
lilt
wo-ip
1 E - 1 1 0
BOSON BOOKS
3
e 11V 13YIL.07 Si'LelLviNc 7.
TWELVE BRITISH
STATISTIC' S
by
Richard H. Williams
University of Miami
Donald W. Zimmerman
Carleton University
Donald C. Ross
New York State Psychiatric Institute
Bruno D. Zumbo
University of British Columbia
E
13
BOSON
BOSON BOOKS
Brefe.sk StabNe:CIOTS
FABLE OF CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER I.Karl Pearson: Versatile Statistical Scientist
Overview
Educational Training and Fellowship Activities
The Heart of Karl Pearson's Versatility
The Controversial. Karl Pearson
Concluding Comments
References
CHAPTER 2-R A. Fisher: Contributions to Analysis of Variance and Experimental
Design
Overview
Family Background and Early Vocational Choice
Experimental Design
Small Sample Theory and the Various Sampling Distributions
Population Genetics, Evolution Theory, and. Eugenics
Controversies with Adversaries
Sir Ronald A Fisher's Publications and :Honorary Awards
Concluding Comments
References.
CHAPTER 3-Charles Spearman Behavioral and Statistical Scientist
Overview
Educational Experience
The Classical Theory of Mental Tests
Factor Analysis
A Two.Factor Theory of Intelligence
Concluding Comments
References
CHAPTER 4-Florenc.e Nightingale David: Pioneer Feminist Statistician
Overview
The Four Women Associated with Early History of Statistics
David's Initial Vocational Frustrations
David's Reactions to World Class Statisticians
A Sample of David's Publications
On Entering, Administration
Nan Laird's Interview of Florence N. David
Concluding Comments
References
CHAPTER 5•George Udny Yule: Premier British Statistician
BOSON BOOKS
I Tire
Brwth Stat
OVCEVIe'N
Family Background and Vocational Choice
Is Normality Realistic.?
Professional Orimnizations
Yule's Textbook
Yule's Regression Approach
Classical Mental Test Theory
Yule's Con -elation Coefficients
Yule's Desire to Fly
Statistical Aspects of Literary Style
A Demonstration of Yule's Research Versatility
Concluding Comments
References
CHAPTER. 6-Maurice Kendall: Synthesizer and Commentator of Statistics
Overview
Early Childhood and Educational Experience
Kendall Meets Yule
Random Number Generators and Tests for Randomness
Administrative Positions and Honors
Concluding Comments
References
CHAPTER 7-George Box Pioneer in the Forecasting of Time Series
Overview
Educational Training
Box's Research Contributions
Vocational Experiences
Two Interviews with George Box
Concluding Comments
References
CHAPTER 8-Student: Inventor of Small Sample Inferential Statistics
Overview
Student's Background
How Student Learned Statistics
Student As A Man
Student As A Statistician
Concluding Comments
References
CHAPTER 9- Egon Sharpe Pearson: Contributions to Statistical Inference
Overview
Earl' Years and Educational Training
Egon Pearson As Teacher and Administrator
Reviews of R. A, Fisher's Stairs/kw/ Aierhoth for Rescarth. Workers
BOSON BOOKS
Iij .try lirrtrth Sian siicEans
NeymamPearson Theory of Hypothesis Testing.
Egon Pearson's 30 Year Service As Editor of Birmarika
Publications In Honor of His Father
Concluding Comments
References
CHAPTER 10- Francis Ysidro Edgeworth: Statistician and Econo
Overview
Educational Training and Vocational Experiences
Francis. Bacon and Francis Ysidro .Edgeworth
Francis Ysidro Edgeworth's Research and Publications
Concluding Comments
References
CHAPTER 11-Maurice Bartlett: Time Series and Multivariate Statistics
Overview
Educational
Training.
Vocational Experience
Research Contributions
Conctudino. Comments
References
CHAPTER 12.David Cox Multivartable Analysis of Failure Rates
Overy leVe'
Educational Background
•
Vocational Experience
Journal and Book. Publications
Prizes, 'Medals, Awards, Memberships, Fellowships, and kniLhthoo
Concluding Comments
References
SUMMARY
BOSON BOOKS
6
AWAY Briti'd? Sitin.thi ran:,
'
ACKNOWLEDCNIEN`LS
We arc grateful to the Regents of the University of California for permission to
reproduce the picture of Egon Sharpe Pearson from the frontispiece of The 5 eL
Papers of E. S. Pearson (1960
Thanks to Springer Science and Business Media for permission to reprint three excerpts
from Constance Reid's Neyrown,../i•oin Life (1982) They appear on pages 24 , 25, 115,
and 133 of her book.
We are indebted to John Wiley - R Sons, Inc. for permission to reproduce the picture of
R. A. FiSher from the set of plates fonowing page 250 in Joan Fisher Box's R. A. Fisher:
11w Life of A Ncietist (1978) Thanks also go to this publishin4 house for permission to
reprint two quotations from her book on pages 12 ,13 and 61
Thanks to The Annals of Human Genetics for permission to reprint the picture of
William Sealy Gosset from volume 9, part 1 of the frontispiece of the 1939 Annals tqc
Eugenics.
The histitiav of Alarhematical Statisitcs and Statisticai St'ienci...c were quite helpful m
giving_ permission to reproduce the pictures of George E. P. Box and Florence
Nightingale David, the former in volume 2, page 240 (1987), and the latter in volume 4,
page 236 (1989) of Sholistical Sctenee.
Blackwell Publishing gave us permission to reproduce pictures of the following three
British statisticians
Sir David Roxbee Cox-His picture appeared as the frontispiece in the journal ()law
Royal Statistical Society, Series A, 144(3), 1980.
Maurice Stephenson Bartlett-His picture appeared as the frontispiece in the Journal
of the Royal Statistical Society, Series A.,130(4), 1967
Francis Ysidro Edgeworth-His picture is from the facing page 238 in Annals of the
Royal Statistical Society, 1934-1934, 1934 ES.S sup 54-55
BOSON BOOKS
8
five-Av &WA)? Siatist;cruny
INTRODUCTION
This slim volume provides a brief description of the lives and scientific contributions of
twelve British Statisticians—Karl Pearson, R A Fisher, Charles Spearman, Florence
Nightingale David, George Uriny Yule, Maurice G. Kendall, George F P Box, William
Sealy Crosser ("Student"), Egon Sharpe Pearson, Francis .Ysidro Edgeworth, Maurice
Stevenson Bartlett, and David Cox. The book is written in a non-mathematical mariner to
make it accessible to a wider reading audience
The Pearson product moment correlation coefficient is named in honor of Karl Pearson.
In addition to studying mathematics and German he took a law degree. He and his wife
co-founded the Men and Women Club that was designed to permit free discussion among
men and women. His 18 publications in Plittosrphicai Transactions of the .Royal Society
provided contributions in theoretical as weIl as substantive areas.
Some scientists view Fisher's work in population genetics and evolutionary theory as
being as important as his innovations in statistics R. A Fisher introduced pioneering
work in the analysis of variance and covariance. These inferential statistical techniques
are central tools in much empirical, scientific work, He also laid the groundwork f ir
multivariate statistical analysis. Fisher derived important sampling, distributions for
correlations and regression coefficients. His publications swept across many substantive
disciplines. His work in experimental design, including the idea of randomization, is
monumental It should be mentioned that Fisher was a controversial man and sometimes
clashed with fellow scientists
Charles Spearman developed fundamental models in factor analysis, mental test theory,
and theories of intelligence. His two-factor theory contained a general factor of
intelligence together with certain. specific factors. This theory of the intellect is still use d
as the basis for hierarchical models. His achievements were based on both statistical
procedures and empirical psychological studies.
Florence Nightingale David's contributions opened the door to women desiring a career
in Statistics, and she was justly rewarded fir her achievements. She generated 100
publications. One that is likely to interest both beginners and sophisticates is her 1962.
book, Oa/tics, Gods, and Gambling. Students flocked to Dr. David's popular lectures.
George tidily Yule conducted early work in time series and contingency table analysis.
He is viewed as one of the pioneers of modem statistics. The highlight of his publications
is probably the hook, Aim introduction to ilw :Theoryr..kf Statistics, which went through 14
editions and appeared in five languages. Yule also investigated statistical aspects of
literary style. Legend has it that he told Spearman the fundamental equation of mental
test .theory,
Maurice CI Kendall made contributions to nonparametric correlational techniques,
random walk theory, random number generators and tests for randomness He published
many books, some of them highly respected. A sample of these volumes is Advanced
Theory e4SlatOslics (two volumes), Geometrical Probability, and Time Scries
BOSON BOOKS
9
11,•1R:
Stcicasricrirm
George E. P. Box has published numerous academic and industrial journal articles as
well as a good number of books and teaching materials. He holds both Ph. D_ and D.Sc,
degrees in mathematical statistics from the University of London Dr. Box has made
important research contributions to statistical quality control, Bayesian statistics, and
analysis of time series.
William Sealy (losset ("Student") developed the Student's t -test and related small
sample statistics while working for the brewer y' of Arthur Guinness Sons & Company of
Dublin This was a major breakthrough as until then the only statistical techniques
available were those applicable to rather large sets of data. At the request of the brewery,
he published all of his papers, many of which appea red in lliomertika, under the.
pseudonym "Student." In his later publications he tried to omit mathematical concepts
and he would ask colleagues and friends to view him as a non-mathematician.
Egon Sharpe Pearson was a versatile statistical scientist Since his father was Karl
Pearson, he had an impressive tradition to carry on Egon was a leading statistician. And
he did important editorial work as Managing Editor of Lhonicirikel for three decades His
research in developing the NeyinamPearson theory of hypothesis testing was important to
statistical inference When his father retired he took over as Chairman of the Department
of Applied Statistics at University College, London, He was a noted historian of statistics
as well as a skilled teacher,
Francis Ysidro Edgeworth possessed a mind with great intellect. Although his formal
education was in modern and ancient languages, as well as law, he learned a great deal of
mathematics, statistics, probability, logic and related disciplines on his own There is a
great deal which is puzzling as to how he did this, Sometimes there were friends or
colleagues who stimulated him, such as Francis Dalton or Karl Pearson He never
married and might have been lonely, except for the intellectual stimuli that surrounded
him Vocationally he was very stable. He was appointed to the Drummond chair of
Political Economy at Oxford and was chosen as a fellow of All Souls in 1891, and
retained both until his retirement. Similarly, he became the initial editor of the Economic
J o u r n a l in the same year and remained in an editorial capacity until retirement.
Sometimes he had controversies regarding priority of research findings, especially with
Karl Pearson.
Maurice Bartlett, like several of the other British statisticians in this book, was very
good in mathematics. He lived a long and productive life, excelling in teaching„ research,
and administration. His mast well known statistical finding was the test for homogeneity
of variance in the analysis of variance. He was elected to many fellowships , medals,,
foreign associateships and honorary memberships, and the University of Chic,ago and the
University of Hull awarded him honorary doctorates, His research contributions spanned
55 years Bartlett's research interests in statistics and related disci plines covered a wide
range of topics including statistical theory and methods., population and epidemic models,
stochastic processes, time: series analysis., and multivariate analysis.
David Cox's research interests are in inferential theoretical and appl ied statistics,
hiostatistics, and applied probability. The applications that he especially focuses on are in
the physical, biological, and social sciences. His best-known research contribution is the
BOSON BOOKS
10
Twelve ilhtrsh SuistwtanN
proportional hazards model, which has numerous applications m the analysis of survival
data
Both the references and the mathematical nntataon in this hook follow the manual of
style of the American Psychological Association
BOSON BOOKS