Karl Pearson : evolutionary biology and the emergence of a modern theory of statistics (1884-1936)
This thesis examines the development of modern statistical theory and its emergence as a highly specialised mathematical discipline at the end of the nineteenth century. The statistical work of the mathematician and statistician Karl Pearson (1857-1936), who almost singularly created the modern theory of statistics, is the focus of the thesis. The impact of the statistical and experimental work of the Darwinian zoologist W.F.R. Weldon (1860-1906), on the emergence and construction of Pearsonian statistical innovation, is central to the arguments developed in this thesis. Contributions to the Pearsonian corpus from such statisticians as Francis Ysidro Edgeworth (1845-1926), Francis Galton (1822-1911), and George Udny Yule (1871- 1951) are also addressed. The scope of the thesis does not involve a detailed account of every technical contribution that Pearson made to statistics. Instead, it provides a unifying assessment of Pearson's most seminal and innovative contributions to modern statistical theory devised in the Biometric School, at University College London, from 1892 to 1903. An assessment of Pearson's statistical contributions also entails a comprehensive examination of the two separate methodologies
Magnello, Eileen
Evolution (Biology) ; Statistical methods ; History ; Statistics
Karl Pearson : evolutionary biology and the emergence of a modern theory of statistics (1884-1936). This thesis examines the development of modern statistical theory and its emergence as a highly specialised mathematical discipline at the end of the nineteenth century. The statistical work of the mathematician and statistician Karl Pearson (1857-1936), who almost singularly created the modern theory of statistics, is the focus of the thesis. The impact of the statistical and experimental work of the Darwinian zoologist W.F.R. Weldon (1860-1906), on the emergence and construction of Pearsonian statistical innovation, is central to the arguments developed in this thesis. Contributions to the Pearsonian corpus from such statisticians as Francis Ysidro Edgeworth (1845-1926), Francis Galton (1822-1911), and George Udny Yule (1871- 1951) are also addressed. The scope of the thesis does not involve a detailed account of every technical contribution that Pearson made to statistics. Instead, it provides a unifying assessment of Pearson's most seminal and innovative contributions to modern statistical theory devised in the Biometric School, at University College London, from 1892 to 1903. An assessment of Pearson's statistical contributions also entails a comprehensive examination of the two separate methodologies
evolutionary_biology emergence_modern theory statistic examines_development modern statistical theory emergence highly specialised mathematical discipline end statistical work mathematician almost singularly create modern_theory statistic focus_thesis impact statistical experimental_work darwinian emergence construction statistical innovation central_argument develop thesis corpus george also_address scope involve detail account every technical make statistic instead provide unifying assessment seminal innovative contribution modern statistical theory devise school university college london assessment statistical contribution also entail comprehensive_examination two_separate methodology