Fisher, Neyman, and the Creation of Classical Statistics

Classical statistical theory-hypothesis testing, estimation, and the design of experiments and sample surveys-is mainly the creation of two men: Ronald A. Fisher (1890-1962) and Jerzy Neyman (1894-1981). Their contributions sometimes complemented each other, sometimes occurred in parallel, and, particularly at later stages, often were in strong opposition. The two men would not be pleased to see their names linked in this way, since throughout most of their working lives they detested each other. Nevertheless, they worked on the same problems, and through their combined efforts created a new discipline.
This new book by E.L. Lehmann, himself a student of Neyman's, explores the relationship between Neyman and Fisher, as well as their interactions with other influential statisticians, and the statistical history they helped create together. Lehmann uses direct correspondence and original papers to recreate an historical account of the creation of the Neyman-Pearson Theory as well as Fisher's dissent, and other important statistical theories.

List of contents

Introduction.- Fisher's Testing Methodology.- The Neyman-Pearson Theory.- Fisher's Dissent.- The Design of Experiments and Sample Surveys.- Estimation.- Epilogue.

About the author

Erich L. Lehmann is Professor of Statistics Emeritus at the University of California, Berkeley. He is a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the recipient of honorary degrees from the University of Leiden, The Netherlands and the University of Chicago.

Summary

Classical statistical theory—hypothesis testing, estimation, and the design of experiments and sample surveys—is mainly the creation of two men:  Ronald A. Fisher (1890-1962) and Jerzy Neyman (1894-1981).  Their contributions sometimes complemented each other, sometimes occurred in parallel, and, particularly at later stages, often were in strong opposition.  The two men would not be pleased to see their names linked in this way, since throughout most of their working lives they detested each other.  Nevertheless, they worked on the same problems, and through their combined efforts created a new discipline.
This new book by E.L. Lehmann, himself a student of Neyman’s, explores the relationship between Neyman and Fisher, as well as their interactions with other influential statisticians, and the statistical history they helped create together. Lehmann uses direct correspondence and original papers to recreate an historical account of the creation of the Neyman-Pearson Theory as well as Fisher’s dissent, and other important statistical theories.

Additional text

From the reviews:
“I enjoyed reading about the Human traits of the founders of modern classical statistics. The author put a lot of work into finding and citing the writings from Fisher and Neyman. … This is a well done book that I recommend reading. I also think that it would make a great graphic novel.” (Cats and Dogs with Data, maryannedata.wordpress.com, August, 2013)
“It provides a historical account of the development of classical statistics over a period covering approximately the first half of the twentieth century … . The purported aim of this book is to ‘trace the creation of classical statistics, and to show that it was principally the work of two men, Fisher and Neyman’ … . it has been reasonably successful in achieving this. … I would recommend this book to those who have a serious interest in the history of statistics … .” (Martin Griffiths, The Mathematical Gazette, Vol. 97 (538), March, 2013)

Report

From the reviews:
"I enjoyed reading about the Human traits of the founders of modern classical statistics. The author put a lot of work into finding and citing the writings from Fisher and Neyman. ... This is a well done book that I recommend reading. I also think that it would make a great graphic novel." (Cats and Dogs with Data, maryannedata.wordpress.com, August, 2013)
"It provides a historical account of the development of classical statistics over a period covering approximately the first half of the twentieth century ... . The purported aim of this book is to 'trace the creation of classical statistics, and to show that it was principally the work of two men, Fisher and Neyman' ... . it has been reasonably successful in achieving this. ... I would recommend this book to those who have a serious interest in the history of statistics ... ." (Martin Griffiths, The Mathematical Gazette, Vol. 97 (538), March, 2013)

Product details

• Authors: Erich Lehmann, Erich L Lehmann, Erich L. Lehmann
• Publisher: Springer, Berlin
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 01.07.2011
• EAN: 9781441994998
• ISBN: 978-1-4419-9499-8
• No. of pages: 115
• Dimensions: 156 mm x 234 mm x 8 mm
• Weight: 223 g
• Illustrations: VIII, 115 p. 8 illus.
• Subject: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Mathematics > Probability theory, stochastic theory, mathematical statistics