Karl Pearson (1857-1936) was a biometrician who became the first Galton Chair of Eugenics at University College London, where he also taught as a professor of applied mathematics and mechanics (Porter, 2013). He is remembered for being a founder of modern statistics (Porter, 2013).

Pearson published the book, The Grammar of Science in 1892, which prompted him to emphasize the importance of data and statistics in biological and social sciences (Porter, 2013). These beliefs influenced Pearson's thoughts on natural selection, and turned him towards eugenics (Porter, 2013).

Pearson also helped found the first journal dealing with modern statistics, Biometrika with Sir Francis Galton, and Walter F. R. Weldon (Porter, 2013).

Pearson was fascinated with heredity and statistics (Paul & Moore, 2010). He launched various studies on the differences in eye colour, fertility and longevity (Paul & Moore, 2010). Although he was influenced by Galton, his eugenic views were much harsher. For instance he believed that “superior and inferior races cannot coexist; if the former are to make effective use of global resources; the latter must be extirpated” (Pearson, 1901, as cited in Paul & Moore, 2010, p. 39).

-Erna Kubergovic and Colette Leung

• Paul, D.B., & Moore, J. (2010). The Darwinian Context: Evolution and Inheritance. The Oxford Handbook of the History of Eugenics. P. Levine & A. Bashford (Eds.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.

• Porter, T. M. (2013). Karl Pearson. Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved from http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/448102/Karl-Pearson