David Tribe
Encyclopedia
David Harold Tribe 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. http://www.usyd.edu.au/alumni/intouch/gazette/apr05/campus/tribe.shtml
In 2001, Tribe became an honorary associate of Rationalist International
.
Secularism
Secularism is the principle of separation between government institutions and the persons mandated to represent the State from religious institutions and religious dignitaries...
and humanist
Secular humanism
Secular Humanism, alternatively known as Humanism , is a secular philosophy that embraces human reason, ethics, justice, and the search for human fulfillment...
. He was born in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, but he lived in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
for a long time.
Tribe joined the University of Queensland's
University of Queensland
The University of Queensland, also known as UQ, is a public university located in state of Queensland, Australia. Founded in 1909, it is the oldest and largest university in Queensland and the fifth oldest in the nation...
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
Public relations
Public relations is the actions of a corporation, store, government, individual, etc., in promoting goodwill between itself and the public, the community, employees, customers, etc....
officer, journalist and lecturer.
In Britain, Tribe was chair of Humanist Group Action (1961-1964), President of the National Secular Society
National Secular Society
The National Secular Society is a British campaigning organisation that promotes secularism and the separation of church and state. It holds that no-one should gain advantage or disadvantage because of their religion or lack of religion. It was founded by Charles Bradlaugh in 1866...
(1963–1971), editor of The Freethinker
The Freethinker (journal)
The Freethinker is a British secular humanist magazine, founded by G.W. Foote in 1881. It is the world's oldest surviving freethought publication.It has always taken an unapologetically atheist, anti-religious stance...
(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
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania...
"Tribe Awards" in fiction, poetry, philosophy, sculpture, and symphony were established in 2005 after Tribe put $300,000 into a foundation for the purpose. http://www.usyd.edu.au/alumni/intouch/gazette/apr05/campus/tribe.shtml
In 2001, Tribe became an honorary associate of Rationalist International
Rationalist International
Rationalist International is an organization with the stated aim to represent a rational view of the world, making the voice of reason heard and considered where public opinion is formed and decisions are made.- Rationalism :...
.
Works
- The Rise of the Mediocracy (1975). London: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 0-04-300057-6
- Questions of Censorship (1973). London: Allen & Unwin. ISBN 0-04-701007-X
- Broadcasting, Brainwashing, Conditioning (1972). London: National Secular Society. ISBN 0-903752-01-8
- Nucleoethics: Ethics in Modern Society (1972). London: MacGibbon and Kee. ISBN 0-261-63266-3
- President Charles Bradlaugh, MP (1971). London: Elek Books. ISBN 0-236-17726-5
- The Cost of Church Schools (1970). London: National Secular Society.
- Humanism, Christianity, and Sex (1968). London: National Secular Society.
- 100 Years of Freethought (1967). London: Elek Books.
- Why are We Here? (a poem) (1965). London: Outposts Publications.
- Religion and Ethics in Schools (1965). London: National Secular Society.
- Freethought and Humanism in Shakespeare (1964). London: Pioneer Press.
- The Open Society and its Friends (1971). London: National Secular Society. Foreword by Philip Hinchcliff.