Karl Pearson

Date of Birth: March 27, 1857

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: April 27, 1936

Biography

Karl Pearson was a pioneering English mathematician and biostatistician who played a vital role in the development of modern statistics. Born on March 27, 1857, in London, England, Pearson was the son of William Pearson, a barrister, and Fanny Smith. He was educated at King’s College School and University College School in London, and later attended King’s College, Cambridge, where he studied mathematics. Pearson’s work in statistics began in the late 19th century, and he became a key figure in the creation and establishment of the field. He founded the discipline of mathematical statistics and introduced many concepts and techniques that are still in use today, including the correlation coefficient and the chi-squared test. In 1892, Pearson published “The Grammar of Science,” which was a highly influential work that discussed the philosophy and methodology of science. He also founded the journal *Biometrika* in 1901, along with Francis Galton and Walter Weldon, which became a leading publication in the field of biostatistics. Pearson held the position of Professor of Applied Mathematics and Mechanics at University College London (UCL) from 1884 to 1911. He then became the first Galton Professor of Eugenics at UCL, a position he held until his retirement in 1933. Pearson’s work laid the foundation for many statistical methods used in various scientific disciplines, including biology, medicine, and social sciences. Karl Pearson passed away on April 27, 1936, in Coldharbour, Surrey, England, leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence the field of statistics to this day.

5 Interesting Facts about Karl Pearson

1. Karl Pearson was a strong advocate of the application of statistical methods to biological and social science data, which helped establish the field of biostatistics.

2. He was the first person to hold the Galton Chair of Eugenics at University College London.

3. Pearson’s work on the correlation coefficient and the chi-squared test are fundamental to modern statistics.

4. He was an outspoken proponent of eugenics, a controversial aspect of his legacy.

5. Pearson founded the journal *Biometrika*, which remains a leading publication in the field of biostatistics.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Karl Pearson

1. “Statistics is the grammar of science.”

2. “That which is measured improves.”

3. “The unity of all science consists alone in its method, not in its material.”

4. “The chief problem in any community, the chief problem in every nation, is the problem of raising the average standard of ability.”

5. “It is to the interest of the community to have the strong and healthy breed, as it is to the interest of the stock-breeder to keep the best stock.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Given the era in which he lived, specific net worth estimates are not available. However, as an academic, Pearson’s wealth would likely have been modest by modern standards.

Children

Karl Pearson had three children: Sigrid Loetitia Pearson, Helga Sharpe Pearson, and Egon Sharpe Pearson. His son, Egon Pearson, followed in his footsteps and became a notable statistician.