The prehistory of the Center for Statistics and the Social Sciences, with a prequel and epilogue

While it may appear to be a recent addition to the statistical scene, the Center for Statistics and the Social Sciences (CSSS) at the University of Washington follows in a grand statistical tradition going back at least two centuries. In this article I describe some of the history on which it draws, emphasizing those who contributed to the interface during the twentieth century and especially the precursors to CSSS at the University of Washington. I also mention in passing some of my personal links to research carried out in CSSS after its founding.