Probability and Statistics: Essays in Honor of David A. Freedman

TL;DR

This tribute volume celebrates David A. Freedman's extensive contributions to probability and statistics, highlighting his research, applications, and influence over a 45-year career.

Contribution

The volume compiles key essays that honor Freedman's pioneering work in probability, statistical theory, and practical applications, emphasizing his influence on modern statistics.

Findings

Significant advancements in exchangeability and De Finetti's theorem

Influential asymptotic theory for the bootstrap

Extensive impact on statistical theory and practice

Abstract

This volume is our tribute to David A. Freedman, whom we regard as one of the great statisticians of our time. He received his B.Sc. degree from McGill University and his Ph.D. from Princeton, and joined the Department of Statistics of the University of California, Berkeley, in 1962, where, apart from sabbaticals, he has been ever since. In a career of over 45 years, David has made many fine contributions to probability and statistical theory, and to the application of statistics. His early research was on Markov chains and martingales, and two topics with which he has had a lifelong fascination: exchangeability and De Finetti's theorem, and the consistency of Bayes estimates. His asymptotic theory for the bootstrap was also highly influential. David was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1991, and in 2003 he received the John J. Carty Award for the Advancement of Science from the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. In addition to his purely academic research, David has extensive experience as a consultant, including working for the Carnegie Commission, the City of San Francisco, and the Federal Reserve, as well as several Departments of the U.S. Government--Energy, Treasury, Justice, and Commerce. He has testified as an expert witness on statistics in a number of law cases, including Piva v. Xerox (employment discrimination), Garza v. County of Los Angeles (voting rights), and New York v. Department of Commerce (census adjustment). Lastly, he is an exceptionally good writer and teacher, and his many books and review articles are arguably his most important contribution to our subject.