Phylogenetic Inference, Selection Theory, and History of Science : Selected Papers of A. W. F. Edwards with Commentaries

A. W. F. Edwards is among the world's most influential mathematical geneticists and a pioneer of the statistical analysis of phylogeny. This collection of his seminal papers, accompanied by commentary from leading experts, highlights Edwards's influence on the field, contextualising his contribution and legacy for geneticists, statisticians and historians of science.

A. W. F. Edwards is one of the most influential mathematical geneticists in the history of the discipline. One of the last students of R. A. Fisher, Edwards pioneered the statistical analysis of phylogeny in collaboration with L. L. Cavalli-Sforza, and helped establish Fisher''s concept of likelihood as a standard of statistical and scientific inference. In this book, edited by philosopher of science Rasmus Grønfeldt Winther, Edwards''s key papers are assembled alongside commentaries by leading scientists, discussing Edwards''s influence on their own research and on thinking in their field overall. In an extensive interview with Winther, Edwards offers his thoughts on his contributions, their legacy, and the context in which they emerged. This book is a resource both for anyone interested in the history and philosophy of genetics, statistics, and science, and for scientists seeking to develop new algorithmic and statistical methods for understanding the genetic relationships between and among species both extant and extinct.