Richard Anderson Falk (born November 13, 1930, in New York City to Jewish parents) is an American professor emeritus of international law at Princeton University, where he taught for over 40 years after joining in 1961 and being appointed Albert G. Milbank Professor of International Law and Practice in 1965. He began his academic career in the late 1950s at Ohio State University and Harvard University. Falk earned a BS in economics from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1952, an LLB from Yale Law School in 1955, and an SJD from Harvard Law School in 1962. He is the author or co-author of 20 books and editor or co-editor of another 20, focusing on international law, human rights, and world affairs. From 2008 to 2014, Falk served as the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, a role that drew significant controversy, including criticism from groups like UN Watch for his views and associations. He has been an outspoken activist on global issues, contributing to publications like The Nation, where he is a member of the editorial board. Falk's work often critiques U.S. foreign policy, imperialism, and supports Palestinian rights, positioning him as a prominent figure in international relations scholarship and advocacy.