Major Greenwood's early career and the first departments of medical statistics

Major Greenwood was the foremost medical statistician of the first half of the 20th century in the UK and is often credited with founding the first department of medical statistics at the Lister Institute in London in 1910. Here, we examine in detail his career prior to this appointment, including his association with Karl Pearson. We also examine the remit of the Department of Medical Statistics at the London Hospital of which he was the founding Director in 1908, some 2 years earlier than his appointment at the Lister Institute. Supporting information consisting of further details about Major Greenwood's early career, biographical articles and obituaries for him, and a list of his publications to 1910 by year, is also provided. © 2014 The Authors. Statistics in Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.