The Birth of Actuarial Science and Life Insurance, Pt. 1
Stuff You Missed in History Class
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The Origins of a One-Year Term for Life Insurance and the Speculative Period of Insurance
This chapter explores the origins of one-year term life insurance policies and the regulations set forth by the office of assurances in London to ensure fair benefits and prevent depletion of funds. It also hints at the upcoming discussion on the role of dice rolls in insurance.
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Actuarial science is all about calculating risk – risk of injury, illness, death, risk of market shifts and financial outcomes. Part one covers the earliest population tables and early examples of life insurance and assurance.
Research:
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- Ivry, David A. “Historical Development of Some Basic Life Insurance Terminology.” The Journal of Insurance, vol. 28, no. 3, 1961, pp. 65–69. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/250376
- Lewin, Chris. “The Creation of Actuarial Science.” ZDM – Mathematics Education. 2001. Vol. 33. https://subs.emis.de/journals/ZDM/zdm012i2.pdf
- Ogborn, M.E. “The Professional Name of Actuary.” Journal of the Institute of Actuaries. 1956. https://web.archive.org/web/20081217144303/http://www.actuaries.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/25382/0233-0246.pdf
- Rose, I. Nelson. “How Insurance Became (Mostly) Not Gambling.” Gaming Law Review and Economics.Nov 2014.864-872.http://doi.org/10.1089/glre.2014.1892
- ROWELL, A. H. Journal of the Institute of Actuaries (1886-1994), vol. 88, no. 3, 1962, pp. 387–89. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/41139514. Accessed 27 Dec. 2023.
- Thomas, R., & Chambers, Ll. G., (1959). PRICE, RICHARD (1723-1791), philosopher. Dictionary of Welsh Biography. Retrieved 27 Dec 2023, from https://biography.wales/article/s-PRIC-RIC-1723
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- Walford, Cornelius. “History of Life Assurance in the United Kingdom.” Journal of the Institute of Actuaries and Assurance Magazine, vol. 25, no. 2, 1885, pp. 114–33. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/41135809
- Walford, Cornelius. “History of Life Assurance in the United Kingdom (Concluded).” Journal of the Institute of Actuaries (1886-1994), vol. 26, no. 6, 1887, pp. 436–65. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/41136141
- Whittle, Matt. “How To Become An Actuary: Responsibilities, Practice Areas And Certifications.” Forbes. Nov. 29, 2022. https://www.forbes.com/advisor/education/become-an-actuary/
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