Cedric Smith
Encyclopedia
Cedric Austen Bardell Smith (5 February 1917 – 10 January 2002) was a British
statistician
and geneticist
. Born in Leicester
, he was educated at Wyggeston Boys' School (now Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth I College
) until 1929 when the family moved to London. His education continued at Bec School
, Tooting
for three years then at University College School
, London. In 1935, having failed his Higher School Certificate
, he was awarded an exhibition
to Trinity College, Cambridge
. He graduated in the Mathematical Tripos
, with a First in Part II in 1937 and a Distinction in Part III in 1938. Following graduation he began postgraduate research, taking his Ph.D.
in 1942.
While a student at Cambridge, Smith became close friends with three other students at Trinity College, R. L. Brooks, A. H. Stone
and W. T. Tutte
. Together they tackled a number of problems in the mathematical field of combinatorics
and devised an imaginary mathematician, 'Blanche Descartes
', under which name to publish their work. The group studied dissections of rectangles into squares, especially the 'perfect' squared square, a square that is divided into a number of smaller squares, no two of which are the same size. Publications under the name of 'Blanche Descartes' or 'F. de Carteblanche' continued to appear into the 1980s. The group also published more mainstream articles under their own names, the final one being R.L. Brooks, C.A.B. Smith, A.H. Stone and W.T. Tutte, 'Determinants and current flows in electric networks', Discrete Math., Vol. 100 (1992).
During the Second World War, as a Quaker and conscientious objector
, Smith joined the Friends Relief Service; he worked as a porter at Addenbrooke’s Hospital
in Cambridge. Smith’s pacifist views saw him develop an interest in peace studies
. Among other responsibilities for the Society of Friends, he was a member of the Quaker Peace Studies Trust which established the chair of Peace Studies at the University of Bradford
. Smith was also a founder member (and Chairman) of the Conflict Research Society.
In 1946 he was appointed Assistant Lecturer at the Galton Laboratory
at University College London
. He remained at UCL for the rest of his career, becoming successively Lecturer and Reader
, before appointment as Weldon Professor of Biometry
in 1964. On his arrival at UCL Smith was influenced by J. B. S. Haldane
, who introduced him to problems of linkage in human genetics in which field he was able to bring his skills as a statistician to bear.
Smith was elected a Fellow of the Royal Statistical Society
in 1945. He was a member of the Genetical Society (serving as Treasurer), the Biometric Society (British Region), serving as President 1971–1972, and the International Statistical Institute.
In 1957 he married Piroska Vermes (1921–2000), known as 'Piri'. They had one son, who survived them. Piri's father, Dr. Paul Vermes (1897–1968), was a Hungarian refugee who became a professional mathematician at the age of 50.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
statistician
Statistician
A statistician is someone who works with theoretical or applied statistics. The profession exists in both the private and public sectors. The core of that work is to measure, interpret, and describe the world and human activity patterns within it...
and geneticist
Geneticist
A geneticist is a biologist who studies genetics, the science of genes, heredity, and variation of organisms. A geneticist can be employed as a researcher or lecturer. Some geneticists perform experiments and analyze data to interpret the inheritance of skills. A geneticist is also a Consultant or...
. Born in Leicester
Leicester
Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
, he was educated at Wyggeston Boys' School (now Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth I College
Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth I College
Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth I College, or "Q.E" is a sixth form college in Leicester, England.-Admissions:There are 1,865 full-time 16-18 year-old students and 140 teaching staff. More than 40 subjects are offered at A Level. Somewhat against the national trend Mathematics and Sciences account...
) until 1929 when the family moved to London. His education continued at Bec School
Bec School
Bec School was a grammar school in South London.-Comprehensive:The school closed when it was amalgamated with the adjacent Hillcroft School in 1970 to create Bec-Hillcroft comprehensive school...
, Tooting
Tooting
Tooting is a district in south London, England, located in the London Borough of Wandsworth. It is situated south south-west of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London.-History:...
for three years then at University College School
University College School
University College School, generally known as UCS, is an Independent school charity situated in Hampstead, north west London, England. The school was founded in 1830 by University College London and inherited many of that institution's progressive and secular views...
, London. In 1935, having failed his Higher School Certificate
Higher School Certificate (UK)
The Higher School Certificate was a United Kingdom educational attainment standard qualification, established in 1918 by the Secondary Schools Examination Council . The Higher School Certificate Examination was usually taken at age 18, or two years after the School Certificate. It was abolished...
, he was awarded an exhibition
Exhibition (scholarship)
-United Kingdom and Ireland:At the universities of Dublin, Oxford and Cambridge, and at Westminster School, Eton College and Winchester College, and various other UK educational establishments, an exhibition is a financial award or grant to an individual student, normally on grounds of merit. The...
to Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
. He graduated in the Mathematical Tripos
Cambridge Mathematical Tripos
The Mathematical Tripos is the taught mathematics course at the University of Cambridge. It is the oldest Tripos that is examined in Cambridge.-Origin:...
, with a First in Part II in 1937 and a Distinction in Part III in 1938. Following graduation he began postgraduate research, taking his Ph.D.
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
in 1942.
While a student at Cambridge, Smith became close friends with three other students at Trinity College, R. L. Brooks, A. H. Stone
Arthur Harold Stone
Arthur Harold Stone was a British mathematician born in London, who worked mostly in topology. His wife was American mathematician Dorothy Maharam...
and W. T. Tutte
W. T. Tutte
William Thomas Tutte, OC, FRS, known as Bill Tutte, was a British, later Canadian, codebreaker and mathematician. During World War II he made a brilliant and fundamental advance in Cryptanalysis of the Lorenz cipher, a major German code system, which had a significant impact on the Allied...
. Together they tackled a number of problems in the mathematical field of combinatorics
Combinatorics
Combinatorics is a branch of mathematics concerning the study of finite or countable discrete structures. Aspects of combinatorics include counting the structures of a given kind and size , deciding when certain criteria can be met, and constructing and analyzing objects meeting the criteria ,...
and devised an imaginary mathematician, 'Blanche Descartes
Blanche Descartes
Blanche Descartes was a collaborative pseudonym used by the English mathematicians R. Leonard Brooks, Arthur Harold Stone, Cedric Smith, and W. T. Tutte. The four mathematicians met in 1935 as undergraduate students at Trinity College, Cambridge, where they joined the Trinity Mathematical Society...
', under which name to publish their work. The group studied dissections of rectangles into squares, especially the 'perfect' squared square, a square that is divided into a number of smaller squares, no two of which are the same size. Publications under the name of 'Blanche Descartes' or 'F. de Carteblanche' continued to appear into the 1980s. The group also published more mainstream articles under their own names, the final one being R.L. Brooks, C.A.B. Smith, A.H. Stone and W.T. Tutte, 'Determinants and current flows in electric networks', Discrete Math., Vol. 100 (1992).
During the Second World War, as a Quaker and conscientious objector
Conscientious objector
A conscientious objector is an "individual who has claimed the right to refuse to perform military service" on the grounds of freedom of thought, conscience, and/or religion....
, Smith joined the Friends Relief Service; he worked as a porter at Addenbrooke’s Hospital
Addenbrooke's Hospital
Addenbrooke's Hospital is an internationally renowned teaching hospital in Cambridge, England, with strong links to the University of Cambridge. It was founded in 1766 on Trumpington Street with £4,500 from the will of Dr John Addenbrooke, a fellow of St Catharine's College...
in Cambridge. Smith’s pacifist views saw him develop an interest in peace studies
Peace and conflict studies
Peace and conflict studies is a social science field that identifies and analyses violent and nonviolent behaviours as well as the structural mechanisms attending social conflicts with a view towards understanding those processes which lead to a more desirable human condition...
. Among other responsibilities for the Society of Friends, he was a member of the Quaker Peace Studies Trust which established the chair of Peace Studies at the University of Bradford
University of Bradford
The University of Bradford is a British university located in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. The University received its Royal Charter in 1966, making it the 40th University to be created in Britain, but its origins date back to the early 1800s...
. Smith was also a founder member (and Chairman) of the Conflict Research Society.
In 1946 he was appointed Assistant Lecturer at the Galton Laboratory
Galton Laboratory
The Galton Laboratory, was a laboratory for research into human genetics based at University College London in London, United Kingdom. It was originally established in 1904, and became part of UCL's biology department in 1996....
at University College London
University College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
. He remained at UCL for the rest of his career, becoming successively Lecturer and Reader
Reader (academic rank)
The title of Reader in the United Kingdom and some universities in the Commonwealth nations like Australia and New Zealand denotes an appointment for a senior academic with a distinguished international reputation in research or scholarship...
, before appointment as Weldon Professor of Biometry
Biostatistics
Biostatistics is the application of statistics to a wide range of topics in biology...
in 1964. On his arrival at UCL Smith was influenced by J. B. S. Haldane
J. B. S. Haldane
John Burdon Sanderson Haldane FRS , known as Jack , was a British-born geneticist and evolutionary biologist. A staunch Marxist, he was critical of Britain's role in the Suez Crisis, and chose to leave Oxford and moved to India and became an Indian citizen...
, who introduced him to problems of linkage in human genetics in which field he was able to bring his skills as a statistician to bear.
Smith was elected a Fellow of the Royal Statistical Society
Royal Statistical Society
The Royal Statistical Society is a learned society for statistics and a professional body for statisticians in the UK.-History:It was founded in 1834 as the Statistical Society of London , though a perhaps unrelated London Statistical Society was in existence at least as early as 1824...
in 1945. He was a member of the Genetical Society (serving as Treasurer), the Biometric Society (British Region), serving as President 1971–1972, and the International Statistical Institute.
In 1957 he married Piroska Vermes (1921–2000), known as 'Piri'. They had one son, who survived them. Piri's father, Dr. Paul Vermes (1897–1968), was a Hungarian refugee who became a professional mathematician at the age of 50.