Ronald Fisher

Date of Birth: February 17, 1890

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: July 29, 1962

Biography

Sir Ronald Aylmer Fisher was an English statistician, geneticist, and eugenicist who made significant contributions to biology and statistics. He was born on February 17, 1890, in East Finchley, London, England. Fisher is often hailed as one of the greatest statisticians of all time, having laid the groundwork for much of the modern statistical theory and methodology. He worked on the design of experiments, the analysis of variance (ANOVA), and introduced concepts such as maximum likelihood estimation. Fisher attended Harrow School and later studied mathematics at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. His early career was marked by his work at Rothamsted Experimental Station, where he developed many of his statistical methods. Later, he held academic positions at University College London and the University of Cambridge. In addition to his statistical work, Fisher was a pioneering geneticist. He was one of the three principal founders of population genetics, blending Mendelian genetics with Darwinian natural selection. His book, “The Genetical Theory of Natural Selection,” is considered a cornerstone in the field of evolutionary biology. Fisher was knighted in 1952 for his contributions to science. He passed away on July 29, 1962, in Adelaide, Australia, but his legacy continues to influence a broad range of scientific disciplines.

5 Interesting Facts about Ronald Fisher

1. Fisher was a strong proponent of the use of randomization in the design of experiments to eliminate bias.

2. He introduced the idea of the null hypothesis, which is now a standard concept in statistical hypothesis testing.

3. Fisher was an early advocate for the use of computers in statistical research and data analysis.

4. He developed the Fisher information, a way of measuring the amount of information that an observable random variable carries about an unknown parameter.

5. Fisher had a contentious relationship with fellow geneticist J.B.S. Haldane, although both contributed significantly to population genetics.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Ronald Fisher

1. “The tendency to be satisfied with existing knowledge inhibits the search for knowledge.”

2. “To consult the statistician after an experiment is finished is often merely to ask him to conduct a post mortem examination. He can perhaps say what the experiment died of.”

3. “Natural selection is not evolution.”

4. “The analysis of variance is not a mathematical theorem, but rather a convenient method of arranging the arithmetic.”

5. “The more highly adapted an organism becomes, the less adaptable it is to any new change.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

While exact figures for historical figures like Ronald Fisher are difficult to ascertain, his significant contributions to science and academia suggest that his highest net worth would have been modest by modern standards, primarily derived from academic salaries and possibly royalties from his publications.

Children

Sir Ronald Fisher had eight children with his wife, Eileen Guinness. Their names were Joan, William, Richard, Harry, Margaret, George, Katie, and Rosemary.