Special Collections Department
403 Parks Library
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2140
RS 13/24/51
George Waddel Snedecor (1881-1974)
Papers, 1925-1978, n.d.
Descriptive summary
| creator: | Snedecor, George Waddel (1881-1974) |
| title: | Papers |
| dates: | 1925-1978, n.d. |
| extent: | 1.26 linear ft. (3 document boxes) |
| collection number: | RS 13/24/51 |
| repository: | University Archives, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University. |
Administrative information
| access: | Open for research |
| publication rights: | Consult Head, Special Collections Department |
| preferred citation: | George Waddel Snedecor Papers, RS 13/24/51, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library. |
Biographical note
George Waddel Snedecor was born 20 October 1881 in Memphis, Tennessee. Snedecor earned his B.S. (1905) in mathematics and physics at the University of Alabama and his M.S. (1913) in physics from the University of Michigan. That same year he became an Assistant Professor (1913-1914) of mathematics at Iowa State College (University). He was soon promoted to Associate Professor (1914-1931) and eventually Professor (1931-1958). Early in his career at Iowa State, Snedecor became interested in statistics, particularly as the subject applied to agricultural research. He collaborated with Henry A. Wallace and instituted weekly seminars during the winter and spring of 1924 which were the beginning of specialized interest in statistical research at Iowa State. Growing demand for statistical services caused Iowa State to create the Mathematics Statistical Service in the Department of Mathematics in 1927 with Snedecor in charge. In 1933, Snedecor organized the Statistical Laboratory at Iowa State College and became the Laboratory's first Director (1933-1947). Under his direction, the Statistical Laboratory grew to become one of the most prominent statistical labs in the country. Snedecor retired from administrative duties in 1947, but continued to teach and research full-time until 1952. Snedecor was renowned throughout the world for his work in statistics. He was elected as a fellow of several national and international organizations including: the American Statistical Association, the Institute of Mathematical Statistics, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the British Royal Statistical Society, and the International Biometric Society. In addition to these organizations, he was also a member of the International Statistical Institute, the Iowa Academy of Science, Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Xi, Gamma Alpha, Pi Mu Epsilon, and Kappa Sigma. He also served as President (1948) of the American Statistical Association, making him the first person in the field of agricultural research ever to head the Association. In recognition of his outstanding career, Snedecor received an honorary Doctorate of Science from both North Carolina State University (1956) and Iowa State University (1958). During his career, Snedecor wrote numerous articles on the subject of statistics. He cooperated with Henry A. Wallace to publish Correlation and Machine Calculation (call no. QA75 W155c) in 1925. He also authored Calculation and Interpretation of Analysis of Variance and Covariance (1934), and Statistical Methods (1937). This last book went through seven editions prior to Snedecor's death and has been translated into numerous languages. Snedecor is credited with advancing the use of statistical methods throughout the world. In 1958, Snedecor accepted a position as a private consultant for the U.S. Navy Electronics Laboratory in San Diego, California. He passed away in Amherst, Massachusetts, on 15 February 1974. |
Collection description
This collection (1925-1978, n.d.) contains materials of George W. Snedecor, including: biographical information, correspondence, memorials, newspaper clippings and press releases, and copies of published works. The biographical information includes clippings, faculty information forms, photographs, and press releases. Several other files contain writings about Snedecor and information regarding his retirement, including a book of autographs of faculty and staff who worked under Snedecor in the Statistics Laboratory. There are also files of correspondence and other materials related to memorials following his death. A family genealogy compiled by James Gayle Snedecor documenting the Alabama branch of the Snedecor family can be found in the collection. The collection also contains copies of Snedecor's published works. Copies of his and Henry Wallace's original and revised bulletin Correlation and Machine Calculation are included as well as a manuscript, two reports Snedecor wrote after reviewing programs at other universities, and reprints of Snedecor's published papers. Books written by Snedecor are available in the ISU Library and can be found by searching the Library catalog. |
Organization
This collection is arranged alphabetically with biographical information listed first. |
Container list
Box |
Folder |
Title |
Dates |
1 |
1 |
Biographical information: News clippings and faculty information |
1939-1974, n.d. |
1 |
2 |
Biographical information: News clippings and press releases |
1947-1974, n.d. |
1 |
3 |
Biographical information: Photographs (2- 5x7" b/w, 1- 4x5" color, and 2- 2x3" color) |
1958-1969 |
1 |
4 |
Bibliographies |
1950-1967, n.d. |
| 3 | 27 | Book review: Personnel and Training Problems Created by Recent Growth of Applied Statistics in the United States by the Committee on Applied Mathematical Statistics of the National Research Council | 1947 |
1 |
5 |
Correspondence regarding George. W. Snedecor |
1951-1978 |
1 |
6 |
Correspondence: A Festschrift Honoring George Snedecor |
1969-1971 |
1 |
7 |
Correspondence: Cochran, William G. |
1957-1970 |
1 |
8 |
Correspondence: Cox, Gertrude M. |
1953-1974, n.d. |
1 |
9 |
Correspondence: Fisher, Ronald |
1934-1954 |
1 |
10-11 |
Correspondence: General |
1934-1973, n.d. |
1 |
12 |
Correspondence: Gift from Dr. Herbert A. David |
1937-1968 |
1 |
13 |
Correspondence: Houseman, E. E. |
1943-1953, n.d. |
1 |
14 |
Correspondence: Jebe, Emil H. |
1952-1976 |
2 |
1 |
Genealogy: "Genealogy and History of the Alabama Branch of the Snedecor Family Through Thirteen Generations, 1639-1968" by James Gayle Snedecor |
1968 |
2 |
2 |
Lecture: "Statistical Techniques of Forecasting" |
1940 |
2 |
3 |
Manuscript: Principles of Statistics |
1948 |
2 |
4 |
Memorial fund |
1974-1976 |
2 |
5 |
Memorial fund and biographical notes by Ted A. Bancroft |
1974-1975 |
2 |
6 |
Memorial reference material |
1958-1974 |
2 |
7 |
Memorial resolution |
1974 |
2 |
8 |
Notes regarding Mary Clem research |
1945-1954 |
| 3 | 28 | Notes removed from his personal copy of Algebra | undated |
2 |
9 |
Paper: "Analysis of Covariance of Statistically Controlled Grades" |
1935 |
2 |
10 |
Paper: "Analysis of Covariance of Yield and Time to First Silks in Maize" |
1937 |
2 |
11 |
Paper: "Analysis of Variance as an Effective Method of Handling the Time Element in Certain Economic Statistics" |
1933 |
2 |
12 |
Paper: "Application of the Theory of Experimental Design in Biology" |
1947 |
2 |
13 |
Paper: "Biostatistical Problems Involved in the Standardization of Liquid Household Insecticides" |
1939 |
2 |
14 |
Paper: "Brief Summary of Economic Conditions" |
1945 |
2 |
15 |
Paper: "Correlations between Daily Gains and Feed Requirements of Growing and Fattening Swine" |
1927 |
2 |
16 |
Paper: "Covariance Used to Analyze the Relation between Corn Yield and Acreage" |
1936 |
2 |
17 |
Paper: "Curve Fitting: An Art or a Science?" |
1947 |
2 |
18 |
Paper: "Design of Sampling Experiments in the Social Sciences" |
1939 |
2 |
19 |
Paper: "Estimation of Yield of Corn of Standard Moisture Content in Hybrid Seed Corn Production" |
1948 |
2 |
20 |
Paper: "Experiment in the Collection of Morbidity and Mortality Data on Farm Animals" |
1947 |
2 |
21 |
Paper: "Experiments with Small Numbers of Observations" |
1925 |
2 |
22 |
Paper: "Factorial Experiment to Learn the Effects of Four Androgens Injected into Male Chicks" |
1944 |
2 |
23 |
Paper: "Forecasts from an Incomplete Experiment on Asparagus" |
1946 |
2 |
24 |
Paper: "How Many Animals Per Experimental Lot?" |
1928 |
2 |
25 |
Paper: "Improved Design for Experiments with Groups of Animals Whose Outcome May Be Estimated" |
1932 |
2 |
26 |
Paper: "Improvement of Statistical Techniques in Biology" |
1936 |
2 |
27 |
Paper: "Increasing the Efficiency of Sampling Investigations" |
1948 |
2 |
28 |
Paper: "Method of Expected Numbers for Tables of Multiple Classification with Disproportionate Subclass Numbers" |
1934 |
2 |
29 |
Paper: "Non-Agricultural Applications of Analysis of Variance" |
1941 |
2 |
30 |
Paper: "Non-Agricultural Applications of Analysis of Variance" |
1941 |
2 |
31 |
Paper: "On a Unique Feature of Statistics" |
1949 |
3 |
1 |
Paper: "On the Chi-Square Test for Homogeneity" |
1933 |
3 |
2 |
Paper: "On the Design of Sampling Investigations" |
1948 |
3 |
3 |
Paper: "Proposed Basic Course in Statistics" |
1948 |
3 |
4 |
Paper: "Recent Developments in Sampling for Agricultural Statistics" |
1942 |
3 |
5 |
Paper: "Some Principles of Experimental Design" |
1948 |
3 |
6 |
Paper: "Some Principles of Sampling" |
1938 |
3 |
7 |
Paper: "Statistical Evaluation of a Growth Substance Bioassay Method Using Extracts of Dormant Peach Buds" |
1958 |
3 |
8 |
Paper: "Statistical Methods for an Incomplete Experiment on a Perennial Crop" |
1946 |
3 |
9 |
Paper: "Statistical Part of the Scientific Method" |
1950 |
3 |
10 |
Paper: "Statistical Test of Experimental Technique" |
1930 |
3 |
11 |
Paper: "Statistician's Concern with Experiments" |
1953 |
3 |
12 |
Paper: "Use of Tests of Significance in an Agricultural Experiment Station" |
1942 |
3 |
13 |
Paper: "Uses of Punched Card Equipment in Mathematics" |
1928 |
3 |
14 |
Publications: Chapter for Statistics and Mathematics in Biology, "Biometry, Its Makers and Concepts" |
1964 |
3 |
15 |
Publications: Correlation and Machine Calculation |
1931 |
3 |
16 |
Publications: Correlation and Machine Calculation. Includes response by Snedecor to a published review of the bulletin |
1925 |
3 |
17 |
Publications: Disproportionate Subclass Numbers in Tables of Multiple Classification |
1935 |
3 |
18 |
Report: "Report of Activities at the Alabama Polytechnic Institute, Winter Quarter" |
1953 |
3 |
19 |
Report: "Summary of Report of Residence at The Woman's College, Greensboro, NC" |
1955 |
3 |
20 |
Retirement: Autograph Book, "Statlab Friends and Associates Autographs 1958" |
1958 |
3 |
21 |
Samuel S. Wilks Memorial Medal |
1970 |
3 |
22 |
Writings about Snedecor: Biography and Bibliography of George W. Snedecor by Ted A. Bancroft |
n.d. |
3 |
23 |
Writings about Snedecor: The Life of a Scientist, excerpts |
1978 |
3 |
24 |
Writings about Snedecor: "Professional and Personal Glimpses of George W. Snedecor" by Gertrude M. Cox and Paul G. Homeyer |
1975 |
3 |
25 |
Writings about Snedecor: Questions posed and answered by Snedecor in "Queries" |
n.d. |
3 |
26 |
Writings about Snedecor and the Statistics Laboratory |
1948-1975, n.d. |