Gareth Williams

Gareth Williams is a former Professor and Dean of Medicine, internationally recognised for his research into diabetes and obesity. He’s written five books for general readers: Angel of Death: the story of smallpox (2010, shortlisted for the Wellcome Medical Book Prize), Paralysed with Fear: the story of polio (2013), A Monstrous Commotion: the mysteries of Loch Ness (2015), Unravelling the Double Helix: the lost heroes of DNA (2019), and The Impossible Bomb: the hidden story of British scientists and the race to create nuclear weapons (2025). These have led to prestigious scientific and medical lectures and to numerous literary festivals including Hay, Edinburgh and Wigtown. His media appearances include The Today Programme, PM and The Briefing Room on Radio 4, The Forum (BBC World Service) and BBC documentaries including The Mary Berry Story, The Georgians (Lucy Worsley) and The Battle to Beat Polio (Stephanie Flanders).