“Richard Dawkins dead 2026” : ‘The Selfish Gene’ author killed by internet death hoax

News of author Richard Dawkins’s death spread quickly earlier this week causing concern among fans across the world. However the March 2026 report has now been confirmed as a complete hoax and just the latest in a string of fake celebrity death reports. Thankfully, the author of the Selfish Gene is alive and well.

UPDATE 20/03/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Richard Dawkins death hoax spreads on Facebook

Rumors of the author’s alleged demise gained traction on Wednesday after a ‘R.I.P. Richard Dawkins’ Facebook page attracted nearly one million of ‘likes’. Those who read the ‘About’ page were given a believable account of the English author’s passing:

“At about 11 a.m. ET on Wednesday (March 18, 2026), our beloved author Richard Dawkins passed away. Richard Dawkins was born on March 26, 1941 in Nairobi. He will be missed but not forgotten. Please show your sympathy and condolences by commenting on and liking this page.”

Hundreds of fans immediately started writing their messages of condolence on the Facebook page, expressing their sadness that the talented 84-year-old author and scientist was dead. And as usual, Twittersphere was frenzied over the death hoax.

Where as some trusting fans believed the post, others were immediately skeptical of the report, perhaps learning their lesson from the huge amount of fake death reports emerging about celebrities over recent months. Some pointed out that the news had not been carried on any major English network, indicating that it was a fake report, as the death of an author of Richard Dawkins' stature would be major news across networks.

A recent poll conducted for the Celebrity Post shows that a large majority (52%) of respondents think those Richard Dawkins death rumors are not funny anymore.

Richard Dawkins Death Hoax Dismissed Since Author Is ‘Alive And Well’

On Thursday (March 19) the author's reps officially confirmed that Richard Dawkins is not dead. “He joins the long list of celebrities who have been victimized by this hoax. He's still alive and well, stop believing what you see on the Internet,” they said.

Some fans have expressed anger at the fake report saying it was reckless, distressing and hurtful to fans of the much loved author. Others say this shows his extreme popularity across the globe.

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