Richard Dawkins

Richard Dawkins, born March 26, 1941, is an eminent evolutionary biologist and author. He is best known for his book "The Selfish Gene" (1976), which popularized the gene-centered view of evolution. Another significant work, "The Extended Phenotype" (1982), further elaborated on the influence genes have beyond the organism's body. In 2006, Dawkins published "The God Delusion," a critical examination of religion that became a bestseller and sparked worldwide debate. Dawkins served as the University of Oxford's Professor for Public Understanding of Science from 1995 to 2008. In 1997, he was awarded the Nierenberg Prize for Science in the Public Interest. His contributions to both evolutionary biology and public discourse on science distinguish him as a leading figure in contemporary scientific thought.