born Dec. 21, 1889, Melrose, Mass., U.S.
died March 3, 1988, Madison, Wis.
U.S. geneticist.
He earned his doctorate at Harvard University. His earliest studies included investigation of the effects of inbreeding and crossbreeding on guinea pigs, animals he later used in studying the effects of gene action on coat and eye colour. With R.A. Fisher , he developed a mathematical basis for modern evolutionary theory using statistical techniques. He originated a theory that could guide the use of inbreeding and crossbreeding in livestock improvement. He is perhaps best known for his concept of {{link=genetic drift">genetic drift .