An Accidental Statistician: The Life and Memories of George E. P. Box

Celebrating the life of an admired pioneer in statistics

In this captivating and inspiring memoir, world-renowned statistician George E. P. Box offers a firsthand account of his life and statistical work. Writing in an engaging, charming style, Dr. Box reveals the unlikely events that led him to a career in statistics, beginning with his job as a chemist conducting experiments for the British army during World War II. At this turning point in his life and career, Dr. Box taught himself the statistical methods necessary to analyze his own findings when there were no statisticians available to check his work.

Throughout his autobiography, Dr. Box expertly weaves a personal and professional narrative to illustrate the effects his work had on his life and vice-versa. Interwoven between his research with time series analysis, experimental design, and the quality movement, Dr. Box recounts coming to the United States, his family life, and stories of the people who mean the most to him.

This fascinating account balances the influence of both personal and professional relationships to demonstrate the extraordinary life of one of the greatest and most influential statisticians of our time. An Accidental Statistician also features:

• Two forewords written by Dr. Box’s former colleagues and closest confidants
• Personal insights from more than a dozen statisticians on how Dr. Box has influenced and continues to touch their careers and lives
• Numerous, previously unpublished photos from the author’s personal collection

An Accidental Statistician is a compelling read for statisticians in education or industry, mathematicians, engineers, and anyone interested in the life story of an influential intellectual who altered the world of modern statistics.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Early Years 1
Chapter 2 Army Life 19
Chapter 3 ICI and the Statistical Methods Panel 44
Chapter 4 George Barnard 53
Chapter 5 An Invitation to the United States 63
Chapter 6 Princeton 78
Chapter 7 A New Life in Madison 94
Chapter 8 Time Series 124
Chapter 9 George Tiao and the Bayes Book 139
Chapter 10 GrowingUp (Helen and Harry) 144
Chapter 11 Fisher—Father and Son 151
Chapter 12 Bill Hunter and Some Ideas on Experimental Design 157
Chapter 13 The Quality Movement 181
Chapter 14 Adventures with Claire 197
Chapter 15 The Many Sides of Mac 209
Chapter 16 Life in England 218
Chapter 17 Journeys to Scandinavia 224
Chapter 18 A Second Home in Spain 228
Chapter 19 The Royal Society of London 245
Chapter 20 Conclusion 247
Chapter 21 Memories 248