Gideon Smith is Chief Director: Research and Scientific Services at the South African National Biodiversity Institute, and holds the John Acocks professorial chair at the University of Pretoria. As a past president of the International Organization for Succulent Plant Study, and chairman of the World Flora Project, he also holds various positions on the steering committees of international botanical initiatives. His work on succulents has been widely recognized and his is the recipient of the prestigious Cactus d’Or (Monaco/IOS), a Fellowship from the American Cactus and Succulent Society and the Allen Dyer Medal (South African Succulent Society). He has published numerous books, scientific and popular papers on succulent plants.