A History of Inverse Probability : From Thomas Bayes to Karl Pearson

This is a history of the use of Bayes's theorem over 150 years, from its discovery by Thomas Bayes to the rise of statistical competitors in the first third of the 20th century.

The book follows the progress of the use of inverse probability from its first clear expression in Bayes' essay "Towards Solving a Problem" in the "Doctrine of Chances" of 1763, through its rise in Laplace's work, from its development in the 19th century, to the start of the present century.

The emphasis is on the use and results obtained from inverse probability from Bayes to Karl Pearson.