Patron obituaries
Obituaries of Humanists UK patrons
Humanists UK has been supported in its work by an extensive list of patrons who lent their association and public profile to the humanist cause in a variety of ways. Some were appointed for their contributions to human rights, equality, and justice; others for contributions to humanist philosophy; and some for artistic achievements which have helped to shed light on the human condition. Many others were recognised for their work in science, or journalism, or furthering human welfare.
Our patrons were all individuals with unique and varying opinions, and naturally they didn’t speak for Humanists UK on every subject. What they had in common was their public support for Humanists UK, our advocacy work, our services, and our campaigns. Collectively they showcased the diversity of humanist thinking, and humanist achievement, in public life.
Patrons we have lost
Sir Patrick Stewart, OBE (1940–2026)
Professor Steven Rose
Maureen Duffy (1933–2026)
Dame Jenni Murray (1950–2026)
Professor (em.) Pat McKeown OBE FREng (1930–2026)
Diane Munday (1931–2026)
Colin Pickthall (1944–2025)
Warren Lakin (1954–2025)
Sir Geoffrey Bindman QC (Hon) (1933–2025)
Lord Taverne QC (1928–2025)
Sir Francis Graham-Smith, FRS, FRAS, F Inst P (1923–2025)
The Viscount Craigavon (1944–2025)
Randal Keynes OBE
Baroness Doreen Massey of Darwen (1938–2024)
Alan Brownjohn
Professor Sir Anthony Epstein CBE FRS (1921–2024)
Michael Gore CVO, CBE (1935–2022)
Lord Hughes of Woodside (1932-2022)
Paul Lamb (1955-2021)
Professor Lewis Wolpert CBE FRS (1929-2021)
Samuel Brittan (1933-2020)
Lord O'Neill of Clackmannan (1945-2020)
Sir James Gowans FRS (1924-2020)
Tristan Garel-Jones (1941-2020)
Lord (Ted) Graham (1925-2020)
Professor Sir Hans Kornberg FRS (1928-2019)
Sir Jonathan Miller CBE (1934-2019)
Professor Sir David Weatherall FRS, DL, MB, ChB, FRCP, FRCPE (1933-2018)
Sir David Smith FRS FRSE
Sir John Sulston FRS (1942-2018)
Baroness Turner of Camden (1927-2018)
Kenneth Stuart (1920-2017)
Lord Joffe CBE (1932-2017)
Rhodri Morgan (1939-2017)
Professor Robert Hinde (1923-2016)
Professor Sir Harold Kroto FRS (1939-2016)
Maurice Peston, Lord Peston (1931-2016)
Eric Avebury (1928–2016)
Warren Mitchell (1926-2015)
Paul Rose (1935-2015)
David Nobbs (1935-2015)
Terry Pratchett (1948–2015)
His Honour Jeremy McMullen QC (1949-2015)
Dr Harry Stopes-Roe (1924-2014)
Dennis Turner, Lord Bilston (1942-2014)
Professor Hugh Huxley (1924-2013)
Elaine Morgan (1920-2013)
Faith Brook (1922-2012)
Professor Lord Wedderburn of Charlton QC FBA (1927-2012)
Claire Rayner (1931-2010)
Ashok Kumar (1956-2010)
Michael Majerus (1954-2009)
Harold Blackham (1903-2009)
Sir Michael Levey (1927-2008)
Harold Pinter (1930-2008)
James Hemming (1909-2008)
George Melly (1926-2007)
Linda Smith (1958-2006)
John Fowles (1926-2005)
Professor Sir Hermann Bondi FRS (1919-2005)
Professor Colin Blakemore FRS, FMedSci, FSB, Hon FRCP (1944–2022)
Sir Roy Calne FRS (1930–2024)
Lord Harrison (1947–2024)
We also remember members and other humanists who have died.