Abstract

The Cambridge statistical tradition can be traced back to A. de Morgan (4th Wrangler 1827) and R.L.Ellis (Senior Wrangler 1840), both pupils of G.Peacock, one of the founders of the Analytical Society. Through J.W.L.Glaisher we arrive at J.Venn and his lectures on ‘Theory of Statistics’ in 1890 and on to F.J.M.Stratton’s lectures which influenced R.A.Fisher, E.S.Pearson and D.Brunt (whose book ‘The Combination of Observations’ was based on them). G.Udny Yule was appointed Lecturer in Statistics in 1912, succeeded by J.Wishart in 1931. J.M.Keynes, H.Jeffreys, F.P.Ramsey, and R.A.Fisher dominated the scene after the first world war, and, after the second, Wishart, M.S.Bartlett, H.E.Daniels, F.J.Anscombe, D.V.Lindley and D.R.Cox. Fisher became Professor of Genetics in 1943 and retired in 1957. Amongst his research students was C.R.Rao. All this and as much more as time permits!