David was born in Atherton, Greater Manchester in 1939, and educated at Leigh Grammar School. He studied theology at Hartley Victoria College, Education at Matlock College, Computers in Education at Leeds University and gained his MA at York University. After spending four years as a Methodist minister in East Anglia and Derbyshire he was invited to specialise in education which occupied him for the next twenty five years. He was awarded the MBE in 2001 for twenty years work teaching sighted people to become Braille transcribers in Evening Classes in Pontefract where he founded Braille Guild, a registered charity which provides Braille copies of printed books.He taught World Religions in Stamore and then in Knottingley before gaining a degree in Computer Studies which brought a change of subject in his career. He retired from teaching computer literacy in 1997.His hobbies included reading, puzzles, magic and illusions, acting in AmDram groups and 63 years playing church organs until his sight failed. He is now Vice-Chairman of Moulton Players in Northampton where he is frequently on stage acting in various roles.