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| 26 Jun 2024 | |
| Alumni News |
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Frank Carter Duckworth MBE, a distinguished alumnus of King Edward School (KES) and a renowned English statistician, who died on 21st June 2024, at the age of 84. Dr. Duckworth, a prominent figure in the world of cricket and statistics, leaves behind a legacy of innovation and excellence.
Born in 1939, Dr. Duckworth attended King Edward School from 1948 to 1958. He went on to earn a BSc in Physics (1961) and a PhD in Metallurgy (1965) from the University of Liverpool. His professional career was marked by his significant contributions as a mathematical scientist in the English nuclear power industry.
Dr. Duckworth's fame primarily arose from his collaboration with fellow mathematician Dr. Anthony Lewis, with whom he co-developed the Duckworth-Lewis method. This revolutionary statistical formula, designed to recalibrate target scores in limited-overs cricket matches affected by weather interruptions, was officially adopted by the International Cricket Council in 1999 and remains in use today. Their innovative work has left an indelible mark on the sport, providing a fair and scientific solution to a long-standing problem.
In addition to his contributions to cricket, Dr. Duckworth was deeply involved with the Royal Statistical Society (RSS). He served as the editor of RSS News and was a consultant statistician to the International Cricket Council until his retirement in 2014. Dr. Duckworth also played a key role on the editorial board of the journal Significance, stepping down in 2010. In 2004, he delivered the Royal Statistical Society Schools Lecture titled "Lies and Statistics," and in 2015, he received an honorary Doctor of Science degree from the University of Bath.
Dr. Duckworth was also known for developing the 'Duckworth scale,' a system for quantifying personal risk perception. His outstanding contributions to both statistics and cricket were recognized in 2010 when he was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.
The passing of Dr. Frank Carter Duckworth's is a great loss to both the academic and sporting communities.
