# Ronald Fisher

> British statistician, evolutionary biologist and geneticist (1890–1962)

**Wikidata**: [Q216723](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q216723)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_Fisher)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ronald-fisher

## Summary

Ronald Fisher was born on February 17, 1890, in London[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] and died of colorectal cancer on July 29, 1962, in Adelaide[2][3][4][5][6][11][8]. He was buried at St Peter's Cathedral[12][8]. A citizen of the United Kingdom, he was married to Ruth Eileen Guinness from 1917 onward[7] and had two children, George Fisher Fisher and Joan Fisher Box[13][8].He was educated at the University of Cambridge, Harrow School, and Gonville and Caius College[3][8][7]. Over his career, he worked as a mathematician, geneticist, statistician, astronomer, biologist, and biostatistician[8][7]. His primary fields were statistics and genetics, and his employers included Rothamsted Research (1919–1933), University College London (1933–1943), University of Cambridge (1943–1959), and University of Adelaide (1959–1962)[3][10].His professional recognitions included being named a Fellow of the Royal Society and receiving the Copley Medal, Royal Medal, Darwin Medal, Darwin–Wallace Medal, and Croonian Medal and Lecture, along with two additional awards[7][14][15][16]. He served as president of the Royal Statistical Society from 1952 to 1954[17]. He was also a member of the Royal Society, the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, and the Pontifical Academy of Sciences[18].

## Summary
Ronald Fisher was a British statistician, evolutionary biologist, and geneticist (1890–1962) who made foundational contributions to statistics, genetics, and evolutionary theory. He is best known for developing statistical methods like analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Fisher exact test, as well as pioneering the gene-centered view of evolution. His work revolutionized modern statistics and remains influential in genetics and biostatistics.

## Biography
- Born: February 17, 1890
- Nationality: British (United Kingdom)
- Education: Attended Gonville and Caius College, University of Cambridge; also educated at the University of Adelaide and University of Cambridge.
- Known for: Developing statistical methods like ANOVA and the Fisher exact test, and advancing the gene-centered view of evolution.
- Employer(s): University of Cambridge, University of Adelaide, Rothamsted Research, University College London.
- Field(s): Statistics, evolutionary biology, genetics.

## Contributions
Ronald Fisher made significant contributions to statistics, genetics, and evolutionary biology through his research and theoretical work:
- **Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)**: Developed this statistical method in 1918, which became a cornerstone of experimental design and hypothesis testing in statistics.
- **Fisher Exact Test**: Created this statistical test for analyzing contingency tables, widely used in genetics and medical research.
- **Gene-Centered View of Evolution**: Proposed that natural selection acts primarily at the level of genes rather than individuals or species, influencing modern evolutionary theory.
- **Statistical Methods**: Contributed to the development of statistical methods for experimental design, including randomized controlled trials and factorial experiments.
- **Genetic Research**: Conducted groundbreaking work in genetics, including studies on inheritance and genetic variation, which laid the foundation for modern population genetics.
- **Awards and Recognition**: Received numerous awards, including the Copley Medal from the Royal Society, the Royal Medal, and the Darwin Medal, recognizing his contributions to science.

## FAQs
**What are Ronald Fisher's most significant contributions to statistics?**
Ronald Fisher developed the analysis of variance (ANOVA) in 1918, which became a fundamental tool in experimental design and hypothesis testing. He also created the Fisher exact test for analyzing contingency tables, widely used in genetics and medical research.

**How did Ronald Fisher influence evolutionary biology?**
Fisher proposed the gene-centered view of evolution, arguing that natural selection acts primarily at the level of genes rather than individuals or species. This perspective became central to modern evolutionary theory and has had a lasting impact on the field.

**Where did Ronald Fisher work during his career?**
Fisher worked at several institutions, including the University of Cambridge, the University of Adelaide, Rothamsted Research, and University College London. His affiliations with these institutions contributed to his groundbreaking research in statistics and genetics.

**What awards did Ronald Fisher receive for his work?**
Fisher received numerous prestigious awards, including the Copley Medal from the Royal Society, the Royal Medal, and the Darwin Medal. These honors recognized his significant contributions to science and his pioneering work in statistics and evolutionary biology.

**What is the Fisher exact test, and how is it used?**
The Fisher exact test is a statistical test for analyzing contingency tables, developed by Ronald Fisher. It is widely used in genetics and medical research to assess the significance of observed differences between groups.

## Why They Matter
Ronald Fisher's work revolutionized statistics, genetics, and evolutionary biology, shaping modern scientific methods and theories. His development of ANOVA and the Fisher exact test became foundational tools in experimental design and hypothesis testing, influencing countless research studies across disciplines. Fisher's gene-centered view of evolution transformed evolutionary biology, providing a framework for understanding genetic variation and natural selection. His contributions to statistics and genetics have had a lasting impact on scientific research, making him one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century. Fisher's work continues to be referenced and built upon in modern scientific literature, solidifying his legacy as a pioneer in his fields.

## Notable For
- **Development of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)**: Pioneered this statistical method in 1918, which became essential for experimental design and hypothesis testing.
- **Creation of the Fisher Exact Test**: Developed this statistical test for analyzing contingency tables, widely used in genetics and medical research.
- **Gene-Centered View of Evolution**: Proposed that natural selection acts primarily at the level of genes, influencing modern evolutionary theory.
- **Copley Medal Recipient**: Awarded the Copley Medal by the Royal Society, one of the highest honors in British science.
- **Royal Medal Recipient**: Received the Royal Medal from the Royal Society, recognizing his significant contributions to science.
- **Darwin Medal Recipient**: Awarded the Darwin Medal by the Royal Society, honoring his work in evolutionary biology.
- **Fellow of the Royal Society**: Elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society, one of the most prestigious scientific academies in the world.
- **Knight Bachelor**: Granted the honor of Knight Bachelor by the British monarch, recognizing his achievements in science.
- **Honorary Doctor of the University of Calcutta**: Received an honorary doctorate from the University of Calcutta, acknowledging his global influence in genetics.
- **Founding Contributions to Population Genetics**: Pioneered the field of population genetics, laying the groundwork for modern genetic research.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Ronald Fisher was born on February 17, 1890, in the United Kingdom. He is a British citizen and has been educated at several prestigious institutions. He attended Gonville and Caius College, a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, where he began his academic journey. His education also included time at the University of Adelaide, and he has been affiliated with the University of Cambridge. His academic background laid the foundation for his career in statistics and genetics.

### Academic Career and Affiliations
Fisher has held positions at several notable institutions. He was affiliated with the University of Cambridge, specifically Gonville and Caius College, where he conducted research and teaching. He also had connections with the University of Adelaide, Rothamsted Research, and University College London. His work has been recognized by the Royal Society, of which he is a Fellow, and he has also been associated with the Royal Statistical Society. He has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to science, including the Copley Medal, the Royal Medal, and the Darwin Medal.

### Major Contributions and Research
Fisher is best known for his groundbreaking contributions to statistics, genetics, and evolutionary biology. He developed the analysis of variance (ANOVA) in 1918, which became a fundamental tool in experimental design and hypothesis testing. He also created the Fisher exact test for analyzing contingency tables, widely used in genetics and medical research. Fisher proposed the gene-centered view of evolution, arguing that natural selection acts primarily at the level of genes rather than individuals or species. This perspective became central to modern evolutionary theory and has had a lasting impact on the field.

### Awards and Recognition
Fisher has received numerous prestigious awards and honors for his contributions to science. He was awarded the Copley Medal by the Royal Society, one of the highest honors in British science. He also received the Royal Medal and the Darwin Medal, recognizing his significant work in evolutionary biology. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, one of the most prestigious scientific academies in the world. Additionally, he was granted the honor of Knight Bachelor by the British monarch, acknowledging his achievements in science. He has also received an honorary doctorate from the University of Calcutta, recognizing his global influence in genetics.

### Influence and Legacy
Fisher's work has had a lasting impact on statistics, genetics, and evolutionary biology, shaping modern scientific methods and theories. His development of ANOVA and the Fisher exact test became foundational tools in experimental design and hypothesis testing, influencing countless research studies across disciplines. Fisher's gene-centered view of evolution transformed evolutionary biology, providing a framework for understanding genetic variation and natural selection. His contributions to statistics and genetics have had a lasting impact on scientific research, making him one of the most influential scientists of the 20th century. Fisher's work continues to be referenced and built upon in modern scientific literature, solidifying his legacy as a pioneer in his fields.

### Personal Life and Public Persona
Fisher is known for his contributions to science and his influence on statistics and genetics. He has been featured in various media outlets, including academic publications and scientific journals, where his work has been widely recognized. He has also been involved in public debates and discussions on science, genetics, and evolutionary biology. His work has been recognized with numerous awards and honors, and he has been a vocal advocate for scientific research and innovation. He is also known for his contributions to the field of population genetics, where he has pioneered the study of genetic differences in populations.

### Technical Identifiers and Metadata
Ronald Fisher is identified by various technical identifiers and metadata. His Wikidata ID is Q145, and he is associated with numerous other identifiers such as P18 (Youngronaldfisher2.JPG), P213 (0000000108913400), and P214 (41900609). He has been featured in various databases and archives, including the Library of Congress, the National Library of France, and the National Library of Germany. His work is also indexed in various thesauri and controlled vocabularies, reflecting his broad influence and recognition in the scientific and academic communities.

## References

1. [Source](http://www-history.mcs.st-andrews.ac.uk/Biographies/Fisher.html)
2. Sewall Wright and his Role in the Development of Genetics of Populations
3. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
4. [MacTutor History of Mathematics archive](http://www-history.mcs.st-andrews.ac.uk/Biographies/Fisher.html)
5. BnF authorities
6. The Peerage
7. Integrated Authority File
8. Who's Who
9. datos.bne.es
10. Royal Statistical Society
11. MacTutor History of Mathematics archive
12. Find a Grave
13. [Award winners : Copley Medal. Royal Society](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dsunM9ukGLgaW3HdG9cvJ_QKd7pWjGI0qi_fCb1ROD4/pubhtml?gid=1336391689&single=true)
14. [Award winners : Darwin Medal](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dsunM9ukGLgaW3HdG9cvJ_QKd7pWjGI0qi_fCb1ROD4/pubhtml?gid=216486814&single=true)
15. [The Darwin-Wallace Medal](https://www.linnean.org/the-society/medals-awards-prizes-grants/the-darwin-wallace-medal)
16. Mathematics Genealogy Project
17. International Standard Name Identifier
18. Virtual International Authority File
19. CiNii Research
20. Sir Ronald Aylmer Fisher in The Pontifical Academy of Sciences. www.pas.va
21. NNDB
22. SNAC
23. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
24. Proleksis Encyclopedia
25. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
26. nobelprize.org
27. LIBRIS. 2012
28. Catalogo of the National Library of India