who is credited with developing the method of least squares for regression
Least squares The first clear and concise exposition of the method of least squares was published by Legendre in 1805.[5] The technique is described as an algebraic procedure for fitting linear equations to data and Legendre demonstrates the new method by analyzing the same data as Laplace for the shape of the earth. The value of Legendre's method of least squares was immediately recognized by leading astronomers and geodesists of the time.