Richard Summerbell | |
|---|---|
 Summerbell in 2005 | |
| Born | 29 June 1956 |
| Citizenship | Canadian |
| Alma mater | University of British Columbia, University of Toronto |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Mycology |
Richard C. Summerbell (born 29 June 1956) is a Canadian mycologist, author and award-winning songwriter. He was editor in chief of an international scientific journal in mycology from 2000 to 2004. In the 1970s and 80s, he was a gay activist and an early commentator on (then) controversial topics such as AIDS and promiscuity and attitudes to homosexuality in organized religion.
Born in Brooks, Alberta, Summerbell trained as a botanist, receiving his master's degree from the University of British Columbia and his doctorate degree from the University of Toronto. He has lived with his partner, Ross Fraser, since 1978 and currently resides in Toronto, Canada.