Alan Cribb: key obituary facts
Is Alan Cribb dead? Yes. Alan Cribb died on October 17, 2026, at age 101.
Cause of death: Alan Cribb's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Alan Cribb known for?
He was an Australian botanist and phycologist.
More about Alan Cribb
Born: 1 January 1925.
Place of birth: Ipswich.
Gender: male.
Occupation: botanist, phycologist.
Nationality: Australia.
Employer: University of Queensland.
Awards: Australian Natural History Medallion.
Spouse: Joan W. Cribb.
Also known as: Alan Bridson Cribb, A. B. Cribb, Cribb.
Alan Cribb, an Australian botanist and phycologist, died on October 17, 2026, aged 101.
Born in Ipswich, Queensland, he grew up around Longreach, where his father, a grazier, encouraged his interest in the Australian bush and natural history. Cribb studied at the University of Queensland, earning a Bachelor of Science with first-class honours in 1948.
His research direction took shape after he collected algae on a university science students’ excursion to Noosa Heads that year. With no algae specialists then based in Queensland, he went to New Zealand to study under Professor Val Chapman before continuing into an honours program. Cribb later worked at the University of Queensland and became known for expertise in marine and freshwater algae and seaweeds. He also wrote about native and wild foods of Australia, extending his writing beyond his scientific work. In botanical citations, Cribb is the standard author abbreviation used to identify him as the author of a botanical name. His honours included the Australian Natural History Medallion. His extended family was associated with Cribb & Foote, an Ipswich department store, and he was married to Joan W. Cribb.