Weldon, Pearson, Bateson and the biometric-Mendelian controversy: a dispute between evolutionists

Abstract

This paper discusses a controversy that took place in Great Britain from 1902 to 1906 concerning hereditary theories. The main actors involved were, on the one side, the biologist, Walter Frank Raphael Weldon (1860-1906) and the mathematician, Karl Pearson (1857-1936) and, on the other, the naturalist, William Bateson (1861-1926). The discussion was carried out in scientific journals, a book and letters, as well as in scientific meetings. The paper shows that the roots of the debate were already present in previous discussions in which the participants were involved, such as the Cineraria controversy. Furthermore, besides conceptual and methodological differences there were also other factors that helped to prolong the disagreement, such as the struggle for authority in the field of evolution.

Key words: history of evolution, Mendelians, Biometricians, Bateson, William, Weldon, Walter Frank, Pearson, Karl.