Margaret Merrell's name evokes memories of a beloved teacher of
generations of statisticians, a no-nonsense administrator, and a
wise mentor. In 1922, Dr. Merrell had just graduated Phi Beta
Kappa from Wellesley College. She moved to Baltimore to teach
mathematics at a private school and within two years was a part-
time student in biostatistics at the School. And a year after
that she was an assistant on the School's faculty. As well-known
for her teaching as for her research, Dr. Merrell was interested
in clinical and field trials, life tables, and physiological
reaction rates. She served as a member of the advisory committee
of the Milbank Foundation and a consultant to the U.S. Public
Health Service. During World War II, Dr. Merrell was consultant
to the surgeon general of the United States Army. She designed
studies to evaluate treatment of venereal diseases, particularly
in the use of penicillin to halt syphilis, and in ways to
prevent motion sickness.