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John Graunt

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Scientist

The Resume

    (April 24, 1620-April 18, 1674)
    Born in London, United Kingdom
    London haberdasher
    Wrote 'Natural and Political Observations Made upon the Bills of Mortality' (1662) analyzing deaths in London
    Identified variations in deaths based on gender, age, residence and season of the year
    Developed the first life expectancy tables
    Pioneer in demography, actuarial science and epidemiology

Why he might be annoying:

    He was named a fellow of the Royal Society only through the intervention of King Charles II.
    He lost his job after being accused of helping to set the Great Fire of London (1666).
    He died in poverty and was buried in a pigsty.
    After his death, his work was largely ignored for two centuries.

Why he might not be annoying:

    The objections to his being named to the Royal Society had more to do with his status as a haberdasher than the quality of his research.
    His analysis of the Bills of Mortality produced a more accurate estimate of the population of London, showed that the plague was causing more deaths than authorities thought and revealed an epidemic of rickets.
    He invited criticism of his work and revised his ideas when presented with new data.
    The accusations about the Great Fire were based solely on anti-Catholic prejudice.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2022, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 8 Votes: 62.50% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 6 Votes: 16.67% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 15 Votes: 60.0% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 15 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 15 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 9 Votes: 44.44% Annoying