Ninian SmartNinian Smart (1927-2001) was a Scottish writer and university educator. A pioneer in the field of secular religious studies, Smart established the first department of religious studies in the United Kingdom at the University of Lancaster in 197; he was also the first J.F. Rowny Professor in the Comparative Study of Religions at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He was elected president of the American Academy of Religion in 2000 and also served as president of the Inter Religious Federation for World Peace. Read More Read Less