Ruth Sophia Padel FRSL FZS is a British poet and non-fiction author known for her poetry criticism, nature writing, and connections with music, science and conservation and recently a novelist. She broadcasts for BBC Radio 3 and 4 on poetry, wildlife and music, and is on the Board of the Zoological Society of London, active in promoting its global conservation through literary programmes. She teaches Creative Writing at King's College London, is Writer in Residence at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, and blogs on their productions. 

May 8th, 1946 in Wimpole Street (Age 78)