Gosset determined what the properties would be for a small sample in relation to a larger sample. Gosset applied his discoveries to his work for the brewery which raised the question of what his focus was in his work as he was a theorist to a certain extent, but also a practical man who applied the knowledge that he developed. Gosset must have recognized the importance of accurate statistical information to the process of brewing as he had a statistical assistant for many years in his lab and ran a statistics department as part of the brewery (O'Connor and Robertson).

After Gosset had worked for many years developing the practical application of his theory, he was involved in a terrible car accident in 1934 which left him incapacitated for many months. During this time, he had the opportunity to continue to work on his statistical work. He recovered enough after a year to move to London where he became the head brewer and scientist of production at a new Guinness brewery. Gosset continued to publish the results of his statistical findings while working in London. He did not hold his position there long as he died in Beaconsfield, England, on October 16, 1937 (O'Connor and Robertson).

Gosset's legacy to the world includes more than his scientific discoveries. He will always be remembered for those, but amongst his peers and friends he was remembered as a kind and gentle man. A friend described his as "very kindly and...

He rarely spoke about personal matters but when he did his opinion was well worth listening to and not in the least superficial" (McMullen as quoted in O'Connor and Robertson).
Gosset's pleasant nature is indicated by the fact that both Pearson and Fisher liked and respected him. These men were notorious for hating each other, but they both found something to like in Gosset. Part of Gosset's obituary in The Times of London read:

He was much beloved by all those with whom he worked and by a select circle of professional and personal friends, who revered him as one of the most modest, gentle, and brave of men, unconventional, yet abundantly tolerant in all his thoughts and ways. Also he loved sailing and fishing, and invented the angler's self-controlled craft described in the 'Field' of March 28, 1936." (O'Connor and Robertson)

Gosset was both brilliant in his professional work as a chemist and statistician and a loved and respected man.

Works Cited

Calkins, Keith. "Another Distribution: The Student t." Andrews University. 12 May 2005. 10 December 2006. http://www.andrews.edu/~calkins/math/webtexts/prod12.htm

O'Connor, J.J. And Robertson, E.F. "William Sealey Gosset." School of Mathematics and Statistics University of St. Andrews, Scotland. October 2003. 10 December 2006. http://www-history.mcs.st-andrews.ac.uk/Biographies/Gosset.html