John W. Tukey
Early Life and Education
John Wilder Tukey was born on June 16, 1915, in New Bedford, Massachusetts. He showed an early interest in chemistry and mathematics, which he pursued throughout his education. He received his Bachelor's degree in chemistry from Brown University in 1936 and his Ph.D. in Mathematics from Princeton University in 1939.
Career
After completing his Ph.D., Tukey joined the faculty at Princeton University, where he spent the majority of his career. He also worked at Bell Laboratories during World War II, where he developed methods for fire-control and secure communications.
In 1945, Tukey returned to Princeton, where he continued his work in the Mathematics department. He became a full professor in 1950 and was appointed as the Donner Professor of Science, a position he held until his retirement in 1985.
Contributions to Statistics
Tukey made significant contributions to the field of statistics. He is credited with the development of the Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithm, which is used in signal processing and data analysis. He also introduced the box plot in his 1977 book, "Exploratory Data Analysis".
Tukey's work in statistics also included the development of the concept of robustness in statistics, which refers to the ability of a statistical method to perform well even when its assumptions are violated. He also introduced the terms 'bias' and 'variance' to describe the error in statistical estimates.
Later Life and Legacy
John W. Tukey passed away on July 26, 2000. His contributions to the field of statistics and data analysis continue to be influential. The American Statistical Association awards the John W. Tukey Award in his honor, recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of data analysis.