William G. Cochran was a prominent statistician known for his contributions to the field of survey sampling and experimental design. He played a significant role in developing methods that improved the accuracy and efficiency of statistical analysis, particularly in the context of public health and agriculture. Cochran is best known for the Cochran's theorem and the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel statistic, which are widely used in various research fields. His work laid the foundation for modern statistical practices, influencing how researchers collect and interpret data across disciplines.