Matt Ridley

Matt Ridley is a British author and journalist who is known for his work on science, technology, and economics. He is the author of several books, including "The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolves" and "The Evolution of Everything: How New Ideas Emerge."

Ridley was born in London in 1958 and educated at Eton and Magdalen College, Oxford, where he studied zoology. He began his career as a science writer for The Economist and later worked as a correspondent for The Times and The Daily Telegraph.

In 1990, Ridley became the chairman of Northern Rock, a British bank, a position he held until 2007 when it was nationalized due to the financial crisis. He is also the non-executive chairman of the UK bank, Metro Bank.

Ridley is known for his popular science writing, which often focuses on the intersection of science, technology, and economics. His book "The Rational Optimist" argues that human progress is driven by the exchange of ideas and the spread of innovation. This process has led to an overall increase in prosperity and well-being over time. In "The Evolution of Everything," Ridley examines the role of evolution in shaping everything from the natural world to human society, arguing that evolution is not just a biological phenomenon but a process that can be applied to a wide range of areas.

In addition to his writing, Ridley is also a frequent speaker and commentator on science and technology issues and has appeared on numerous television and radio programs. He is also a member of the Royal Society of Arts and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.

In summary, Matt Ridley is a British author, journalist, and economist known for his work on science, technology, and economics. He is the author of several books, including "The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolves" and "The Evolution of Everything: How New Ideas Emerge." He was a chairman of Northern Rock and a non-executive chairman of Metro Bank. He is also a frequent speaker and commentator on science and technology issues.