Karl Pearson
Karl Pearson
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Karl Pearson was a British mathematician, statistician, and philosopher born as Carl Pearson on March 27, 1857. He is commonly known for his pioneering work in statistics and the development of the field of biometry.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born: March 27, 1857
Died: April 27, 1936
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Pearson was a British national by birth. His professions included mathematician, statistician, philosopher, and academic administrator.
Early Life and Background
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Karl Pearson was born in Islington, London, to William and Fanny Pearson. He grew up with an interest in mathematics and philosophy. After completing his education at Harrow School and King's College, Cambridge, he became a lecturer in applied mathematics at University College London.
During this period, Pearson married Marie Sharpe, who would later become a statistician in her own right. Together they had four children: Sigrid, Margaret, Rachel, and Egon. Egon Pearson, his son, would go on to become a renowned statistician in his own right.
Major Accomplishments
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Pearson's work spanned multiple disciplines, including mathematics, statistics, and philosophy. Some of his key contributions include:
Development of Statistics as a Field: Pearson is often regarded as the founder of modern statistics. He defined statistics as 'the science that deals with the methods for collecting and interpreting numerical information.'
Chi-Squared Test: Pearson introduced the chi-squared test, which has become a widely used statistical method to determine whether observed data differ significantly from expected distributions.
Correlation Coefficient: He developed the Pearson correlation coefficient, a measure of linear association between two variables.Notable Works or Actions
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Pearson's notable works include:
The Grammar of Science (1892): In this book, Pearson discussed the importance of science and logic in understanding the world.
* The Life, Letters and Labours of Francis Galton (1910-13): This three-volume biography showcased Pearson's deep respect for his mentor, Francis Galton.
Impact and Legacy
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Karl Pearson's impact on statistics is immeasurable. His contributions to the development of statistical methods continue to influence modern research in various fields. The Pearson correlation coefficient remains a widely used measure in statistics.
Pearson was also involved in several controversies throughout his career. He was criticized for his views on eugenics and social Darwinism, which some saw as too radical for the time.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Karl Pearson is remembered and quoted due to his significant contributions to statistics and biometry. His work continues to be referenced in academic and professional circles. As a pioneer in his field, he paved the way for future generations of statisticians and mathematicians.
His emphasis on the importance of science and logic has also made him a notable figure in philosophical discussions about the nature of knowledge and understanding.
Quotes by Karl Pearson
Karl Pearson's insights on:
The record of a month’s roulette playing at Monte Carlo can afford us material for discussing the foundations of knowledge.
That which is measured improves. That which is measured and reported improves exponentially.
All great scientists have, in a certain sense, been great artists; the man with no imagination may collect facts, but he cannot make great discoveries.
The classification of facts, the recognition of their sequence and relative significance is the function of science, and the habit of forming a judgment upon these facts unbiassed by personal feeling is characteristic of what may be termed the scientific frame of mind.
I look upon statistics as the handmaid of medicine, but on that very account I hold that it befits medicine to treat her handmaid with proper respect, and not to prostitute her services for controversial or personal purposes.
The record of a month's roulette playing at Monte Carlo can afford us material for discussing the foundations of knowledge.
The right to live does not connote the right of each man to reproduce his kind ... As we lessen the stringency of natural selection, and more and more of the weaklings and the unfit survive, we must increase the standard, mental and physical, of parentage.
There is no shortcut to truth, no way to gain knowledge of the universe except through the gateway of the scientific method.
It is the old experience that a rude instrument in the hand of a master craftsman will achieve more than the finest tool wielded by the uninspired journeyman.