R programming language was initially developed by Ross Ihaka and Robert Gentleman in the early 1990s while they were at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. R was influenced by the S programming language, which was developed at Bell Laboratories by John Chambers and his colleagues.

Ross Ihaka and Robert Gentleman created R as an open-source programming language specifically designed for statistical computing and graphics. They aimed to provide a free and flexible software tool for statistical analysis and data visualization, making it accessible to researchers, statisticians, and data analysts worldwide.

The name "R" is derived from the initials of the first names of its creators, Ross Ihaka and Robert Gentleman. R gained popularity among statisticians and data scientists due to its powerful features, extensive statistical libraries, and the ability to create high-quality graphics.

Since its inception, R has been continuously developed and improved by a dedicated community of users and developers worldwide. The R Project for Statistical Computing, led by core members and volunteers, maintains and enhances the R language and its ecosystem. The R Foundation, a non-profit organization, provides support for the development and distribution of R, ensuring its open-source nature and promoting its use in various fields.

Ross Ihaka and Robert Gentleman's contributions to the field of statistical computing and the development of R have been significant. They have played a crucial role in creating a versatile and widely adopted programming language that continues to empower researchers and data analysts to explore and analyze data effectively.

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14264348/