W. G. Runciman

Walter Garrison 'Garry' Runciman, 3rd Viscount Runciman of Doxford (1934–2020), was a British historical sociologist, businessman, and public servant who applied neo-Darwinian evolutionary theory to social and cultural selection, particularly in studies of social inequality. He authored the influential three-volume Treatise on Social Theory (1983–1997), chaired the Royal Commission on Criminal Justice (1991–1993), and served as President of the British Academy (2001–2005) while leading the family shipping company Walter Runciman plc.