Who authored the First Essay on Population, theorizing exponential human population growth?

Thomas Malthus authored the First Essay on Population, where he introduced the concept of exponential population growth. In his essay, Malthus argued that while population tends to grow geometrically, food production increases arithmetically. This disparity between the rates of population growth and food supply, he warned, could lead to dire consequences such as famine, disease, and other checks on population growth. His work laid the foundation for the study of population dynamics and has influenced many fields, including economics, sociology, and environmental science, as it highlights the potential challenges of resource scarcity in the face of an increasing population. Malthus’s theories continue to be referenced in discussions around population policy and sustainability.