September 28, 2011 — Famed British evolutionary biologist and author Richard Dawkins will speak Tuesday at noon in the University of Virginia's Old Cabell Hall auditorium.

Dawkins, who is touring in support of his new book "The Magic of Reality" – which is scheduled to be released Tuesday – will lecture on the magic of science and discuss a range of natural phenomena. A book signing will follow the lecture.

"It's a pleasure to welcome Professor Dawkins for another visit to U.Va.," University Librarian Karin Wittenborg said. "His wit and intellect are inspiring, and we're delighted we can bring students, faculty and visitors together for this lecture."

The University of Virginia Library is sponsoring the event. Co-sponsors are the College of Arts & Sciences, the University Bookstore and the School of Medicine.

General admission tickets are available for free from the U.Va. Arts Box Office, located in the lobby of the Drama Building at 109 Culbreth Road, and must be picked up in person weekdays from noon to 5 p.m. Tickets are limited to two per person.

Dawkins – an atheist and humanist who has been outspoken in his criticism of both creationism and intelligent design theory – was the inaugural holder of the Charles Simonyi Professorship of the Public Understanding of Science at Oxford University, a position he held from 1995 to 2008. He is the author of several bestsellers, including "The Selfish Gene," "The Blind Watchmaker," "The God Delusion" and "The Magic of Reality."

He last spoke at U.Va. in 2009 before a standing-room-only audience in Gilmer Hall Auditorium.