David Tribe

David Tribe

David Harold Tribe (born 1931) is a leading secularist and humanist. He was born in Sydney, Australia, but he lived in the United Kingdom for a long time.

Tribe joined the University of Queensland's Faculty of Medicine (where he edited the University medical society's journal Trephine), but found that he did not enjoy hospital work and left. It was not long after this that he left Australia for Britain, where he worked at various times as a sketch artist, public relations officer, journalist and lecturer.

In Britain, Tribe was chair of Humanist Group Action (1961-1964), President of the National Secular Society (1963–1971), editor of The Freethinker (1966). He was also an executive committee member of the National Council for Civil Liberties (1961–1972).

Since returning to Australia, he has continued to work for the secularist and humanist movement, but has not held office in any organisation.

The University of Sydney's "Tribe Awards" in fiction, poetry, philosophy, sculpture, and symphony were established in 2005 after Tribe put $300,000 into a foundation for the purpose.

In 2001, Tribe became an honorary associate of Rationalist International.