理查德•道金斯（Richard Dawkins，1941—　），英國皇傢科學院院士，牛津大學教授，著名科普作傢，進化論生物學傢。他是英國最重要的科學作傢，幾乎每本書都是暢銷書，並經常在各大媒體引起轟動。2005年，英國《前景》雜誌會同美國《外交政策》雜誌評選齣在世的全球100名最有影響力的公共知識分子，道金斯赫然在列。1976年齣版的《自私的基因》是他最重要的代錶作，他的基因觀念顛覆瞭我們對自身的幻覺，深刻影響瞭整整一個時代。其他作品有《盲眼鍾錶匠》《地球上最偉大的錶演》《魔鬼的牧師》《解析彩虹》《祖先的故事》《攀登不可能的山峰》等。

One of the most renowned evolutionary biologists at work today, Richard Dawkins has written passionately for years on subjects that matter deeply to him - and matter urgently to all of us. A Devil's Chaplain brings together the best and most provocative of his essays, on subjects ranging from evolution to ethics, from travel to literature, from education to religion. The result is an intriguing portrait of one of the finest minds in science.

With eloquence and vigor, these essays put forward Dawkins's most fundamental axiom: seek truth. He speaks out against pseudoscience and deftly dissects religion and mysticism. In a powerful letter to his ten-year-old daughter, he argues for the necessity of basing any belief on solid evidence. And he doesn't shy away from skewering the loftiest institutions, whether judicial or educational. "To hell with . . . your fact-stuffed syllabuses and your endless roster of exams," he proclaims with refreshing directness. He writes infectiously of his awe at the marvelous complexity of the universe, pays moving tribute to dear friends and worthy colleagues, and tenderly recalls his boyhood in Africa. Uncompromising, even ruthless as Dawkins famously is when defending scientific truth and reason, this collection also shows a gentler, more contemplative side which may surprise his many readers.

Here we meet the essential Richard Dawkins: inspirational in both his unswerving attention to rationalism and his abiding passions.