R.J. Berry

[Robert James, called 'Sam'] b.1934. Geneticist, naturalist and Christian, author of Islands (2009) Inheritance and Natural History (1977), The Natural History of Shetland (1980, with J.L. Johnston) and The Natural History of Orkney (1985).

Educated Shrewsbury School and Caius College, Cambridge, gaining PhD in 'slipped disc and water on the brain in mice' (1976). Lecturer, then Reader, then Professor of Genetics at Royal Free Hospital School of Medicing 1967-8; Professor of Genetics at UCL, 1978-2000. Member of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority 1990-96, NERC 1981-87, and president at different times of Linnaean Society, British Ecological Society, Mammal Society, and Christians in Science. FRSE (1981). Much involved in ethics and, as a member of the General Synod of Church of England 1970-90, reconciling science and Christian religion.

Chose islands for research for their genetically isolated populations, but likes life in remote places. Has also studied rats on radioactive sands in India and limpets on the Antarctic shore. Books include Orkney Nature (2000), Science, Life and Christian Belief (1998) and God's Book of Works (2002). Intelligent and clear thinking, wry, gossipy. Believes in 'the first and last Adam'. Recreation: 'remembering hill-walking and then dreaming'.