Donald Campbell was born on March 23, 1921 in Horley, Surrey, England, UK. He was married to Tonia Bern. He died on January 4, 1967 in Coniston Water, Cumbria, England, UK.
He is remembered in the Marillion song "Out of this World" from the 1995 album "Afraid of Sunlight", written about the tragic circumstances of his death. The song also inspired the recovery of Bluebird by diver Bill Smith.