George R. Price
George Robert Price (October 16, 1922 – January 6, 1975) was an American population geneticist. Price is often noted for his formulation of the Price equation in 1967.
George R. Price | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 16, 1922 New York, United States |
| Died | January 6, 1975 (aged 52) London, United Kingdom |
| Alma mater | University of Chicago |
| Spouse | Julia Madigan (m. 1947 div. 1955) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Population genetics, physical chemistry |
Originally a physical chemist and later a science journalist, he moved to London in 1967, where he worked in theoretical biology at the Galton Laboratory, making three important contributions: first, rederiving W.D. Hamilton's work on kin selection with the new Price equation that vindicated group selection; second, introducing (with John Maynard Smith) the concept of the evolutionarily stable strategy (ESS), a central concept in game theory; and third, formalizing Fisher's fundamental theorem of natural selection.
Price converted to Christianity and gave all his possessions to the poor. Price grew depressed in the setting of thyroid disease and non-compliance with his medications, and committed suicide.