Spencer Glendon

Early life Glendon was born in 1969, and grew up near Detroit, Michigan.

As a teenager, Glendon suffered from chronic ulcerative colitis, which at times constrained his ability to live a normal life. In adulthood, his condition became so severe that he needed a liver transplant. Carl Long, a close personal friend, volunteered to donate half of his liver to Glendon, initially without Glendon's knowledge. Despite the hardship, Glendon viewed his disease as a blessing and a learning opportunity. He was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship. Glendon later attended Harvard University, earning a PhD in 1999 under his supervisor, Edward Glaeser. Glaeser and Glendon published a number of studies about American social phenomena, including religion and gun ownership.

Climate change advocacy Since the 2000s, Glendon has been involved in spreading awareness about climate change. Glendon has envisioned a public service to distribute climate science information, making it more accessible for scientists and the general public. In 2023, Glendon joined Harvard Business School as an Executive Fellow, where he teaches and collaborates with faculty members on research and education around climate risk.

Selected works Glaeser, E.; Glendon, S. (1997). "The Demand for Religion". Manuscript, Department of Economics, Harvard University.