Darrell Huff
Encyclopedia
Darrell Huff was an America
n writer
, and is best known as the author of How to Lie with Statistics
(1954), the best-selling statistics
book of the second half of the twentieth century.
Huff was born in Gowrie, Iowa
, and educated at the University of Iowa
,
(BA 1938, MA 1939). Before turning to full time writing in 1946, Huff served as editor of Better Homes and Gardens
and Liberty
magazine. As a freelancer, Huff produced hundreds of "How to" feature articles and wrote at least sixteen books, most of which concerned household projects.One of his biggest projects was a prize winning home in Carmel, California
where he lived until his death.
First and foremost, though, Huff is credited with introducing statistics to a generation of college and high school students on a level that was meaningful, available, and practical, while still managing to teach complex mathematical concepts. His most famous text, "How to Lie with Statistics" is still being translated into new languages. His books have been published in over 22 languages, and continue to be used in classrooms the world over.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
n writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
, and is best known as the author of How to Lie with Statistics
How to Lie with Statistics
How to Lie with Statistics is a book written by Darrell Huff in 1954 presenting an introduction to statistics for the general reader. Huff was a journalist who wrote many "how to" articles as a freelancer, but was not a statistician....
(1954), the best-selling statistics
Statistics
Statistics is the study of the collection, organization, analysis, and interpretation of data. It deals with all aspects of this, including the planning of data collection in terms of the design of surveys and experiments....
book of the second half of the twentieth century.
Huff was born in Gowrie, Iowa
Gowrie, Iowa
Gowrie is a city in Webster County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,038 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Gowrie is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land....
, and educated at the University of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
,
(BA 1938, MA 1939). Before turning to full time writing in 1946, Huff served as editor of Better Homes and Gardens
Better Homes and Gardens (magazine)
Better Homes and Gardens is the fourth best selling magazine in the United States. The editor in Chief is Gayle Butler. Better Homes and Gardens focuses on interests regarding homes, cooking, gardening, crafts, healthy living, decorating, and entertaining. The magazine is published 12 times per...
and Liberty
Liberty (1924-1950)
Liberty was a weekly, general-interest magazine, originally priced at five cents and subtitled, "A Weekly for Everybody." It was launched in 1924 by McCormick-Patterson, the publisher until 1931, when it was taken over by Bernarr Macfadden until 1942. At one time it was said to be "the second...
magazine. As a freelancer, Huff produced hundreds of "How to" feature articles and wrote at least sixteen books, most of which concerned household projects.One of his biggest projects was a prize winning home in Carmel, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
where he lived until his death.
First and foremost, though, Huff is credited with introducing statistics to a generation of college and high school students on a level that was meaningful, available, and practical, while still managing to teach complex mathematical concepts. His most famous text, "How to Lie with Statistics" is still being translated into new languages. His books have been published in over 22 languages, and continue to be used in classrooms the world over.
Books
- HUFF, D. (1944). Pictures by Pete: A Career Story of a Young Commercial Photographer. Dodd, Mead, New York.
- HUFF, D. (1945). Twenty Careers of Tomorrow. WhittleseyHouse, McGraw–Hill, New York.
- HUFF, D. (1946). The Dog that Came True (illust. C. Moran and D. Thorne). Whittlesey House, McGraw–Hill, New York. (Adapted from a short story by Darrell Huff which appeared in Woman's DayWoman's DayWoman's Day is aimed at a female readership, covering such subjects as food, nutrition, fitness, beauty and fashion. The magazine edition is one of the "Seven Sisters", a group of women's service magazines....
.) - Darrell Huff, How to Lie with StatisticsHow to Lie with StatisticsHow to Lie with Statistics is a book written by Darrell Huff in 1954 presenting an introduction to statistics for the general reader. Huff was a journalist who wrote many "how to" articles as a freelancer, but was not a statistician....
(illust. I. Geis), Norton, New York, 1954, ISBN 0393310728 - HUFF, D. (1959). How to Take a Chance: The Laws of Probability (illust. I. Geis). Norton, New York.
- HUFF, D. (1961). Score: The Strategy of Taking Tests (illust. C. Huff ). Appleton–Century Crofts, New York.
- HUFF, D. (1964). Cycles in Your Life—The Rhythms of War, Wealth, Nature, and Human Behavior. Or Patterns in War, Wealth, Weather, Women, Men, and Nature (illust. A. Kovarsky). Norton, New York.
- HUFF, D. (1968). How to Work With Concrete and Masonry (illust. C. and G. Kinsey). Popular Science Publishing, New York.
- HUFF, D. (1972). How to Figure the Odds on Everything (illust. J. Huehnergarth). Dreyfus, New York.
- HUFF, D. (1972). How to Save on the Home You Want (with F. Huff and the editors of Dreyfus Publications; illust. R. Doty). Dreyfus, New York.
- HUFF, D. (1996). The Complete How to Figure It. Using Math in Everyday Life (illust. C. Kinsey; design K. M. Huff ). Norton, New York.
- HUFF, D. and COREY, P. (1957). Home Workshop Furniture Projects. Fawcett, New York.
- HUFF, D. and HUFF, F. (1963). How to Lower Your Food Bills. Your Guide to the Battle of the Supermarket. Macfadden–Bartell, New York.
- HUFF, D. and HUFF, F. (1970). Complete Book of Home Improvement (illust. G. and C. Kinsey and Bray–Schaible Design, Inc.). Popular Science Publishing, New York.
Articles
- HUFF, D. (1954). "How to Spot Statistical Jokers". The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
, August 22, 1954, p. SM13. - HUFF, D. (1962). "Living high on $6500 a year". The Saturday Evening PostThe Saturday Evening PostThe Saturday Evening Post is a bimonthly American magazine. It was published weekly under this title from 1897 until 1969, and quarterly and then bimonthly from 1971.-History:...
235 60–62. (Reprinted in Mother Earth NewsMother Earth NewsMother Earth News is a bi-monthly American magazine that has a circulation of 475,000. It is based in Topeka, Kansas.Approaching environmental problems from a down-to-earth, practical, how-to standpoint, Mother Earth News has, since the magazine’s founding in 1970, been a pioneer in the promotion...
, January 1970) - HUFF, D. (1978). "Calcu-letter. News of pocket calculators—and how to have fun with them". Popular SciencePopular SciencePopular Science is an American monthly magazine founded in 1872 carrying articles for the general reader on science and technology subjects. Popular Science has won over 58 awards, including the ASME awards for its journalistic excellence in both 2003 and 2004...
212 (3), March 1978. p. 6
See also
- Statisticulation
- ExaggerationExaggerationExaggeration is a representation of something in an excessive manner. The exaggerator has been a familiar figure in Western culture since at least Aristotle's discussion of the alazon: 'the boaster is regarded as one who pretends to have distinguished qualities which he possesses either not at all...
- Lies, damned lies, and statisticsLies, damned lies, and statistics"Lies, damned lies, and statistics" is a phrase describing the persuasive power of numbers, particularly the use of statistics to bolster weak arguments...