Karen Armstrong, author of more than 20 books about the Abrahamic religions (Christianity, Judaism and Islam), was recently named a trustee of the British Museum for a four-year period.
Armstrong is recognized as a foremost expert on the three major religions, and she has her share of detractors as well.  A former Catholic nun, she now refers to herself as a “freelance monotheist.”
Earlier this year, she won the TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) Award for her work. In addition to a nice pile of cash — $100,000 — each TED recipient gets to ask TED to grant a wish.

She is the author of The Great Transformation, The Spiral Staircase and Through the Narrow Gate.