Matt Parker
Australian comedian and math communicator
Matthew Thomas Parker (born 22 December 1980) is an Australian recreational mathematician, author, comedian, YouTube personality and science communicator based in the United Kingdom. He is a New York Times best-selling author and his book Humble Pi was the first mathematics book in the UK to be a Sunday Times No. 1 bestseller. He is a former teacher and has helped popularise mathematics via his tours and videos.
Early life and education
Matt Parker was born in Perth, Western Australia, and grew up in the northern suburb of Duncraig. He began showing an interest in maths and science from a young age, and at one point was part of his school's titration team.
Parker went to the University of Western Australia and started off studying mechanical engineering before he "realized the very real risk of being employable at the end of it." He switched into physics and later mathematics. His love of maths led him to want a job in the subject.
While at university, Parker wrote comedy for Pelican, the students' magazine, and produced comedy sketches. Having become interested in comedy, he enrolled on a course for stand-up.
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