Karl Pearson retired in 1933, aged 76. To honour his career, colleagues and former students gathered for a dinner in April 1934. On this occasion, Professor LNG Filon, Vice-Chancellor of University of London, gave a tribute to Pearson. This was followed by recollections from several long-time colleagues and the presentation of various gifts. Pearson gave a “reply” to thank those gathered. Controversially, his comments included praise for new ‘race hygiene’ policies introduced in Germany under Hitler and the National Socialists. For more on Karl Pearson’s advocacy of eugenics, see Farrall (2019) and Cain (2019).
Editor’s note: This document is presented here for its historical relevance to the Legacies of Eugenics project and to allow unmediated interpretation of Pearson’s comments. His political views expressed are not endorsed.
Citation
Filon, Louis Napoleon George, George Udny Yule, Harald Westergaard, Major Greenwood, and Karl Pearson. 1934. Speeches Delivered at a Dinner Held in University College, London in Honour of Professor Karl Pearson 23 April 1934 (Cambridge: Privately Printed at the University Press), 24p.
- Document
Contents
- Frontispiece is a photograph of Karl Pearson, 1934, posing with Brunsviga calculating machine, which was a gift given on this occasion.
- Address by Professor L. N. G. Filon, Vice-Chancellor, University of London, pp. 5-9,
- Additional comments from:
- Mr G Udny Yule, pp. 10-14,
- Professor Harald Westergaard, pp. 15-16,
- Professor M. Greenwood, pp. 17-18,
- Reply from Professor Karl Pearson, pp. 19-24.
