Attenborough life
Early life:
David Attenborough was born on May 8, 1926, in Isleworth,
Middlesex, England, David Attenborough Parents a Frederick
Attenborough and Mary Attenborough. David Attenborough had
a brother named Richard Attenborough and John
Attenborough
Childhood:
At a young age, he became interested in collecting fossils,
stones, and natural specimens. He was educated at the
‘Wigginton Grammar School for Boys.’ In 1945, he won a
scholarship to ‘Clare College’ of ‘Cambridge University’
from where he obtained a degree in natural sciences.
Adulthood:
In 1947, he was called up for national service in the ‘Royal
Navy’ and spent two years stationed in North Wales and the
Firth of Forth. After his stint in the Navy, he joined the ‘BBC’
in 1952 and subsequently became a producer for the Talks
department. His earliest projects included a series titled
‘Animal, Vegetable, Mineral? and Song Hunter.’
A three-part series ‘The Pattern of Animals’ led to a series
about an animal-collecting expedition. ‘Zoo Quest’ was first
broadcast in 1954 and became the first of his many ‘Natural
History Unit’ productions under ‘BBC.’
Following the establishment of the ‘BBC Natural History
Unit’ in 1957, he formed the ‘Travel and Exploration Unit’ to
help him front ‘Zoo Quest’ as well as ‘Travellers' Tales’ and
‘Adventure’ series.
Achievements:
In addition to honorary Doctor of Science awards from the
‘University of Cambridge’ and ‘University of Oxford,’ he is
the recipient of 32 honorary degrees from various British
universities.
A 2002 ‘BBC’ poll named him among the ‘100 Greatest
Britons.’ He is also one of the top ten ‘Heroes of Our Time’
according to ‘New Statesman’ magazine.
A 2006 ‘Reader’s Digest’ poll named him the most trusted
celebrity in Britain. The following year, he won The Culture
Show's ‘Living Icon Award.’
In the 1970s, he won the ‘BAFTA Desmond Davis Award,’
the Royal Geographical Society's ‘Cherry Kearston Medal and
Award,’ and was awarded the ‘Commander of the Order of
the British Empire’ (CBE).
Personal life & Legacy:
His older brother Richard Attenborough was an actor, while
his younger brother John was an executive at ‘Alfa Romeo.’
His parents fostered two refugee girls from Europe.
In 1950, he married Jane Elizabeth Ebsworth Oriel and the
couple was blessed with two children, Robert and Susan.
While Susan is a former school headmistress, Robert is a
senior lecturer in bioanthropology at the ‘Australian National
University.’
In 2005 and 2006, he backed a ‘Birdlife International’ project
to stop the killing of albatross by longline fishing boats, and
gave public support to WWF's campaign to save rainforest
area.
He is the vice-president of ‘BTCV,’ vice-president of ‘Fauna
and Flora International,’ president of ‘Butterfly
Conservation,’ and president of ‘Leicestershire and Rutland
Wildlife Trust.’
A long-term supporter of ‘BBC,’ he has often lent his support
to issues related to the television license and public
broadcasting.
Who did Attenborough Marry:
His wife is Jane Elizabeth Ebsworth Oriel (17 February
1950 - 16 February 1997) (her death) (2 children)
David Attenborough Children:
He was awarded the Order of Merit (OM) by Queen Elizabeth
II in June 2005. He has two children, Robert Attenborough
and Susan Attenborough, and several grandchildren
David Attenborough’s Death:
In December 2012, in light of his deteriorating health,
Attenborough moved into the same nursing home in London
to be with his wife, as confirmed by their son Michael.
Attenborough died on 24 August 2014, five days before his
91st birthday.
