David William Lister Read (23 April 1922 - 2 July 2015) was an author of autobiographical works which reveal a profound knowledge of Maasai history. He lived the life of a "white Maasai" and could speak their language before his own native English. Born in Nairobi, Read spent his formative years in what is now Tanzania, a country to which he would always return. Read spent his twilight years lives in Momella near Arusha in northern Tanzania, where he continued to work on his writing until his death.