Richard Dawkins

Lore & Background

He was an assistant professor at the University of California, Berkeley from 1967 to 1969, where he became involved in anti-war demonstrations, then returned to Oxford as a lecturer in 1970. He became a fellow of New College, Oxford, and later an emeritus fellow.

Reader's Guide

Richard Dawkins's significance lies in his dual impact on evolutionary biology and public discourse on religion. Through books like The Selfish Gene, he popularized the gene as the principal unit of selection, reshaping how evolution is understood by both scientists and the public. His concept of the 'meme' introduced a framework for cultural evolution that remains influential. Dawkins's legacy includes both advancing evolutionary theory and sparking widespread debate on science and religion, though his views have also attracted criticism. His work continues to be referenced in discussions of evolution, atheism, and the public understanding of science.

Did You Know?

• Dawkins coined the word 'meme' in his 1976 book The Selfish Gene.
• He was the first holder of the Simonyi Professor for the Public Understanding of Science at Oxford, from 1995 to 2008.
• Dawkins is an emeritus fellow of New College, Oxford.