This book examines Florence Nightingale David's life, contributions, and relationships throughout her life, as well as her subsequent legacy. Florence Nightingale David (1909-1993) was the first woman professor in the world's first academic statistics department, served in various British ministries during the war from 1939-1945, and was one of the first women to chair a statistics department in a research university.
In this biography, the life stories of David are used as a vehicle to explore a variety of questions surrounding culture and engagement in the statistical sciences. What does it take to succeed in an environment that is not inclusive of your demographic? How can stories be used to bring technical material to life for students and other learners? And how can a nontraditional leader succeed in challenging boundaries and moving an enterprise forward?
Introduction.- Part I At the Glass Ceiling.- Chapter 1 Deserving (1955-1957).- Part II Up the Hill.- Chapter 2 Growing (1909-1928).- Chapter 3 Learning (1928-1931).- Part III In the Trenches.- Chapter 4 Rising (1931-1938).- Chapter 5 Serving (1939-1946).- Part IV Up the Ladder.- Chapter 6 Renewing (1946-1957).- Chapter 7 Transitioning (1957-1967).- Part V In the New World.- Chapter 8 Arriving (1967-1974).- Chapter 9 Leading (1973-1977).- Part VI Down the Memory Lane.- Chapter 10 Remembering.- Chapter 11 Ending (1977- ).- Part VII Over the Lifetime.- Chapter 12 Summarizing.
Amanda L. Golbeck is a statistician, social scientist, and academic leader. She is currently Professor of Biostatistics and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in the Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Dr. Golbeck is also Professor Emerita of Statistics and Data Science at San Diego State University. She is a Fellow of the American Statistical Association (ASA), an Elected Member of the International Statistical Institute, a past-president of the Caucus for Women in Statistics, and a former Fulbright Specialist to the University of Latvia at Riga. Dr. Golbeck has over 130 publications in medical sciences and history of science and is best known for her books, Leadership in Statistics and Data Science (Springer 2021), Leadership and Women in Statistics (edited with I. Olkin and Y. Gel, Chapman and Hall/CRC), and Equivalence: Elizabeth L. Scott at Berkeley (Chapman and Hall/CRC).
The pioneer of nursing, Florence Nightingale (1820 1910), was an important statistician and indeed the first woman admitted to membership of the Royal Statistical Society in 1858. This book recounts her career, quoting contemporary sources at length and emphasising the disadvantages David suffered as a woman in a mathematical field in the mid twentieth century. It would benefit greatly from the attention of a professional copy editor. (Jim Mackenzie, zbMATH 1567.01002, 2025)
Florence Nightingale David is not only a biography of a remarkable scientist and historian, but also a historical account of the broader struggle for equality in the sciences. It is a story about mentorship, perseverance, scholarship, and legacy. Golbeck's work ensures that David is no longer relegated to being only a footnote in the annals of statistics. This biography will inspire statisticians, historians of science, educators, and any reader interested in how determination and intellect can overcome systemic barriers. (James J. Cochran, Significance, Vol. 22 (4), July, 2025)
