Matt Ridley

Matthew White Ridley, 5th Viscount Ridley, commonly known as Matt Ridley, is a British science writer, journalist, and businessman born on February 7, 1958. He has authored numerous books on science, the environment, and economics, with notable works including 'Genome: The Autobiography of a Species in 23 Chapters' and 'The Agile Gene: How Nature Turns on Nurture.' His writing has earned him recognition, as his books have been shortlisted for several literary awards, including the Los Angeles Times Book Prize.

In addition to his writing career, Ridley has held various significant positions, including serving as the chairman of the International Centre for Life in Newcastle, England, and as a visiting professor at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in New York. He was also the chairman of the UK bank Northern Rock from 2004 to 2007, a period marked by the first run on a British bank in 130 years, which ultimately led to the bank's nationalization.