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| Robert Sokal (1960): from Wikipedia |
No student of my generation, trained in ecology and
evolutionary biology, will not have heard of Sokal and Rholf’s Biometry textbook. Most would have used
it in a class or to inform their analyses. Sadly, Robert Sokal passed away last
month at the age of 86. He had a tremendous career, mostly at Stony Brook
University in New York, and contributing to statistics and science for over
half a century. As a testament to his impact, the third edition of Biometry has been cited over 14000
times! It is the canon for experimental design and analysis in the biological sciences.
He had extraordinary and tumultuous experiences as a youth -fleeing Nazi Germany and being raised in China. Whether, such experiences give rise to greatness, or whether his innate intellectual abilities sealed his destiny is an interesting question. Regardless, his impact and legacy will be deservedly long lasting.
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