Matt Ridley is a U.K. economist, journalist, author and the former chairman of the U.K. bank Northern Rock. He was The Economist‘s science correspondent for ten years and writes a regular column for the Wall Street Journal. His latest book, The Rational Optimist, is a provocative defense of Western progress and free-markets.

Ridley’s books have sold over 850,000 copies and been translated into 30 languages. He has been shortlisted for six literary awards, including the Los Angeles Times Book Prize.  His latest book, The Rational Optimist: How Prosperity Evolves, has drawn both praise and criticism from Bill Gates.

Ridley is also the chairman of the International Centre for Life, in Newcastle, England visiting professor at Cold Spring Harbor oratory in New York.

Matt Ridley received his BA and D Phil at Oxford researching the evolution of behavior.