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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Francis Galton
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(1822–1911, kt 1909) Scientist who was a pioneer in statistical analysis. His first interest was in meteorology (he was involved in the establishment of the *Meteorological Office), and his gathering of worldwide data led to his discovery of anticyclones. The publication of The Origin of Species by *Darwin (a cousin) prompted him to use statistical analysis to discover the relative importance of inherited and environmental factors; he inclined to heredity (Hereditary Genius 1869) and advocated the dangerous theory of 'eugenics' (a term coined by him for selective human breeding). Lasting results of his techniques of measurement were *fingerprints and the correlation coefficient, his statistical device for comparing two sets of variables.
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