Barbara J. King

About the Author

Barbara J. King is a distinguished anthropologist and professor emerita of anthropology at the College of William & Mary, where she taught for over three decades, specializing in the intersections of human evolution, animal behavior, and the origins of religious thought. With a PhD from the University of Oklahoma, her research has taken her from East African savannas to modern laboratories, exploring how our primate ancestors' social bonds and cognitive leaps laid the groundwork for spiritual beliefs. King's work bridges science and spirituality, challenging readers to reconsider the evolutionary roots of faith in an increasingly secular world. In her acclaimed book Evolving God: A Provocative View on the Origins of Religion, she offers a bold synthesis of archaeology, primatology, and theology, arguing that religion emerged not from divine intervention but from our deep-seated need for connection and meaning. A frequent contributor to outlets like NPR and The Washington Post, King continues to illuminate the human condition through her insightful and accessible writing.