Five Thousand Years of Statistics: An Historical Overview from the Origins to the Twentieth Century

The origin of Statistics can be found in ancient times, even though the origin of modern Statistics as an independent science dates to the XVII century. Its rise and evolution are not very different from other sciences: it began as a practical activity, aimed at the solution of concrete problems, and then developed in a theoretical reflection (Leti, 2000). Today Statistics is not considered just a tool for good government, but it can also help to improve the living conditions of the population because of its multiple interactions with other sciences. This paper describes the development path of Statistics from its origins to the present day, through a look on its main protagonists.