David Attenborough

"Sir David Attenborough" redirects here. For the Antarctic research vessel, see RRS Sir David Attenborough.

Sir
David Attenborough
OM GCMG CH CVO CBE FRS FSA FRSA FLS FZS FRSGS FRSB
Attenborough in 2015
Born
David Frederick Attenborough

(1926-05-08) 8 May 1926 (age 98)
Isleworth, Middlesex, England
Education
Occupations
  • Broadcaster
  • biologist
  • natural historian
  • writer
Years active1951–present
Title
Spouse
Jane Ebsworth Oriel
​
​
(m. 1950; died 1997)​
Children2
FatherFrederick Attenborough
Relatives
Awards
David Attenborough's voice
from the BBC Radio 4 programme Desert Island Discs
Signature

Sir David Frederick Attenborough (/ˈætənbərə/; born 8 May 1926) is a British broadcaster, biologist, natural historian, and writer. He is best known for writing and presenting, in conjunction with the BBC Studios Natural History Unit, the nine nature documentary series forming the Life collection, a comprehensive survey of animal and plant life on Earth.

Attenborough was a senior manager at the BBC, having served as controller of BBC Two and director of programming for BBC Television in the 1960s and 1970s. First becoming prominent as host of Zoo Quest in 1954, his filmography as writer, presenter and narrator has spanned eight decades; it includes Natural World, Wildlife on One, the Planet Earth franchise, The Blue Planet and its sequel. He is the only person to have won BAFTA Awards in black and white, colour, high-definition, 3D and 4K resolution. Over his life he has collected dozens of honorary degrees and awards, including three Emmy Awards for Outstanding Narration.

While Attenborough's earlier work focused primarily on the wonders of the natural world, his later work has been more vocal in support of environmental causes. He has advocated for restoring planetary biodiversity, limiting population growth, switching to renewable energy, mitigating climate change, reducing meat consumption, and setting aside more areas for natural preservation. On his broadcasting and passion for nature, NPR stated Attenborough "roamed the globe and shared his discoveries and enthusiasms with his patented semi-whisper way of narrating".[2] He is widely considered a national treasure in the UK, although he himself does not embrace the term.[3][4][5]

  1. ^ "Ethiopia's Prof. Sebsebe Demissew awarded prestigious Kew International Medal". Kew.org. Archived from the original on 17 May 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
  2. ^ "Attenborough's Journey' Salutes The Broadcaster With A Passion For Nature". NPR. Archived from the original on 30 June 2021. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
  3. ^ Waldemayer, Winston (28 January 2009). "Short Sharp Science: Eye-burrowing worms, national treasures... and creationism". New Scientist. Archived from the original on 3 March 2009. Retrieved 17 August 2018.
  4. ^ Kendall, Paul (31 January 2009). "Sir David Attenborough: 'Man was given permission to exploit the natural world by the Bible'". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 3 October 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  5. ^ "Margaret Thatcher, Richard Branson and Judi Dench picked as National Treasures". The Daily Telegraph. London. 18 September 2008. Archived from the original on 8 October 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2014.