Edward ThorpSpeaker and Booking Agent Information

Edward Thorp is an esteemed mathematician, author, hedge fund manager, and blackjack pioneer. Often called the father of quantitative investing, he revolutionized both gambling and finance by applying probability theory. Thorp earned a PhD in mathematics from UCLA and taught at MIT, New Mexico State, and UC Irvine. In 1962, his bestselling book “Beat the Dealer” mathematically proved card counting could overcome the house edge in blackjack, transforming casino play and prompting rule changes. Applying the same rigorous, probabilistic mindset to markets, Thorp launched the first market-neutral hedge fund in 1969 (Princeton Newport Partners). It delivered consistent ~20% annual returns for nearly 30 years, with low volatility, by exploiting statistical mispricing. His 1967 book “Beat the Market” laid early foundations for quantitative finance. Now in his 90s, Thorp remains a legend of disciplined, evidence-based thinking across games, investing, and life. He detailed his journey in the 2017 memoir “A Man for All Markets”.