# Maurice Kendall

> British statistician (1907–1983)

**Wikidata**: [Q377796](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q377796)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Kendall)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/maurice-kendall

## Summary
Maurice Kendall was a British statistician (1907–1983) known for his contributions to mathematical statistics, particularly the Kendall tau rank correlation coefficient. He was a Fellow of the British Academy and held leadership roles in statistical societies, shaping the field of statistics in the mid-20th century.

## Biography
- Born: 1907-09-06, Kettering, United Kingdom
- Nationality: United Kingdom
- Education: St John's College, University of Cambridge (ended 1929)
- Known for: Developing the Kendall tau rank correlation coefficient
- Employer(s): Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1930–1940), UK Chamber of Shipping (1940–1949), London School of Economics and Political Science (1949–1961)
- Field(s): Mathematical statistics, mathematics

## Contributions
Maurice Kendall made significant contributions to statistical theory, particularly in rank correlation. His most notable work was the Kendall tau rank correlation coefficient, introduced in 1938, which measures the ordinal association between two variables. This method remains widely used in statistics and data analysis. Kendall also worked on statistical methods for shipbuilding and agriculture, reflecting his interdisciplinary approach. His research on non-parametric statistics and time series analysis further advanced the field. Kendall was a prolific writer, publishing numerous papers and books that influenced generations of statisticians.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Maurice Kendall best known for?
A: Maurice Kendall is best known for developing the Kendall tau rank correlation coefficient, a statistical method used to measure the ordinal association between two variables.

### Q: What organizations was Maurice Kendall affiliated with?
A: Kendall was affiliated with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the UK Chamber of Shipping, and the London School of Economics and Political Science.

### Q: What awards did Maurice Kendall receive?
A: Kendall received the Fellow of the British Academy, the Fellow of the British Computer Society, and the Knight Bachelor in 1974.

### Q: What was Maurice Kendall's educational background?
A: Kendall studied at St John's College and the University of Cambridge, graduating in 1929.

### Q: What impact did Maurice Kendall have on statistics?
A: Kendall's work on rank correlation and non-parametric statistics significantly advanced the field, with his methods still widely used today.

## Why They Matter
Maurice Kendall's work in mathematical statistics laid the foundation for modern non-parametric methods. His Kendall tau rank correlation coefficient remains a cornerstone of statistical analysis, particularly in fields requiring ordinal data. Kendall's interdisciplinary approach—applying statistics to shipbuilding and agriculture—demonstrated the versatility of his methods. As a leader in statistical societies, he mentored many statisticians and shaped the discipline's direction. His contributions ensured that statistical theory remained relevant and adaptable to diverse real-world problems.

## Notable For
- Developed the Kendall tau rank correlation coefficient (1938), a foundational method in statistics.
- Fellow of the British Academy, British Computer Society, and American Statistical Association.
- President of the Royal Statistical Society (1960–1962).
- Received the Knight Bachelor in 1974 for services to statistics.
- Authored influential works in mathematical statistics and its applications.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Maurice George Kendall was born on September 6, 1907, in Kettering, England. He attended St John's College and the University of Cambridge, graduating in 1929. His early education laid the groundwork for his future contributions to statistics.

### Career and Research
Kendall began his career at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food from 1930 to 1940. He later worked for the UK Chamber of Shipping (1940–1949) before joining the London School of Economics and Political Science (1949–1961). His research focused on mathematical statistics, particularly rank correlation and non-parametric methods.

### Key Contributions
Kendall's most significant contribution was the Kendall tau rank correlation coefficient, introduced in 1938. This method measures the ordinal association between two variables and remains widely used in statistics. He also worked on time series analysis and statistical methods for shipbuilding and agriculture, demonstrating the practical applications of his work.

### Leadership and Recognition
Kendall served as president of the Royal Statistical Society from 1960 to 1962. He was elected a Fellow of the British Academy, the British Computer Society, and the American Statistical Association. In 1974, he was knighted for his services to statistics. His awards and leadership roles underscored his influence on the field.

### Legacy
Maurice Kendall's work in statistics has had a lasting impact, with his methods still used in research and industry. His interdisciplinary approach and mentorship ensured that statistical theory continued to evolve and adapt to new challenges. Kendall's contributions remain a testament to his dedication and expertise in the field.

## References

1. Czech National Authority Database
2. MacTutor History of Mathematics archive
3. BnF authorities
4. Integrated Authority File
5. [Source](https://rss.org.uk/about/people/past-presidents/)
6. Mathematics Genealogy Project
7. [Source](https://www.econometricsociety.org/society/organization-and-governance/fellows/memoriam)
8. Scientific Legacy Database
9. International Standard Name Identifier
10. Virtual International Authority File
11. CiNii Research
12. SNAC
13. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
14. LIBRIS. 2006
15. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
16. Catalogo of the National Library of India