About Matt Ridley
Matt Ridley’s books have sold over 850,000 copies, been translated into 30 languages, been short-listed for seven literary prizes and won three.
His latest book `The Rational Optimist: How prosperity evolves’ argues that human beings are not only wealthier, but healthier, happier, cleaner, cleverer, kinder, freer, more peaceful and more equal than they have ever been. This is because the source of human innovation is, and has been for 100,000 years, not individual inspiration through reason but collective intelligence evolving by trial and error resulting from the sharing of ideas through exchange and specialization. The secret of human prosperity is that everybody is working for everybody else. The book sparked vigorous debate and has drawn both praise and criticism from Bill Gates. It was short-listed for the Samuel Johnson prize for non-fiction and it won the Hayek Prize, 2011.
He is married to the neuroscientist Professor Anya Hurlbert. They have two children and live at Blagdon near Newcastle upon Tyne.
Speaking engagements:
if you are interested in hiring Matt Ridley as a speaker, please contact Creative Artists Agency or Chartwell. Please also view Matt Ridley's talk at TED Global 2010.
