david attenborough facts

On 8 May 2024, Britain’s favourite naturalist, Sir David Attenborough, turned 98! 

David Attenborough facts

david attenborough facts

Sir David pictured with a young Prince Charles and Princess Anne.

1. Sir David Attenborough was born on 8 May, 1926, in Isleworth, West London

The same year as Queen Elizabeth II!

2. He was raised on the campus of University College, Leicester

Now the University of Leicester, where his dad was principal.

david attenborough facts

3. Sir David doesn’t count himself as an animal ‘lover’

But instead says he has always been fascinated by them.

4. He’s thrifty! 

At 11 years old he struck a deal selling newts to University College, Leicester for 3d (3 pence) each. The newts only came from a pond 5m away from the university’s zoology department!

david attenborough facts

5. He is the only person to have won BAFTAs for programmes in black and white, colour, HD, and 3D.

6. He doesn’t own a car as he never passed his driving test

He’s also not keen on sending emails, and prefers receiving letters by fax or post.

7. During World War II his parents adopted two Jewish refugee girls from Europe. 

david attenborough facts

8. There’s only one animal Sir David doesn’t like…

Rats!

9. Sir David was rejected from the first job he ever applied for at the BBC

The position of radio talk producer.

10. In 1947 he spent two years serving in the Royal Navy

Based in North Wales and the Firth of Forth.

david attenborough facts

11. When Sir David got his first job in television, he didn’t even own a TV

Like most British people at the time!

12. His first programme, called Coelacanth, looked at the rediscovery of the coelacanth

– a prehistoric fish.

david attenborough facts

13. Sir David has more than ten plants and animals named after him

Such as the Nepenthes attenboroughii – a giant carnivorous plant that devours animals as large as rats – and the UK’s new polar research vessel, RRS Sir David Attenborough.

14. In 1985 he received a knighthood

Granting him the title of Sir David Attenborough.

david attenborough facts

15. He’s thought to be one of the most well-travelled people on the planet

For The Life of Birds documentary, he travelled a whopping 256,000 miles – that’s the same as travelling around the world ten times!

What do you think of our David Attenborough facts? Let us know by leaving a comment, below!

Images ⓒ Getty Images: David Attenborough and two young children (2192547) , holding frog (2588653) , holding flying insect (74046800) , with the Queen (53049821) standing surrounded by objects (108874291) , portrait (526492398) , looking into the distance (526513484) , holding camera (502260275).
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COMMENTS

  • Sue Woods

    Amazing facts about Sir David. Lots of things I didn't know. I adore him. He's an amazing man.

  • munkipops

    I'm doing a homework project about him and he's so fascinating

  • Jeanne

    David Attenborough is one of my most respected and admired persons for his many contributions to the planet through plants and animals - a humble thank you.

  • OMG I did not know this

  • lol

    Soooooo fascinating

  • mira

    love it !

  • Ve Catterall

    An amazing human being. He has given so much pleasure that so many. My favourite ‘personality’.

  • chicen

    i personally think david attenborough is very cool.

  • josh

    AMAZNG FACTS SO INTERESTING

  • Strawberry

    Don’t like rats either

  • Mark brancheau

    Have loved his shows for all my life

  • Linda

    He is the most recognised narrator without even seeing his face. I can't imagine anybody in the future will reach the same brilliant heights or be as wonderfully redeared by millions of people.

  • Ursula Norbury

    Great facts about David Attenborouogj and his life. I'd love to learn even .ore about him. An amazing man!

  • Bob

    I don’t like rats ever errrr they are disgusting

  • I love rats

  • Irem

    I don’t like rats to and it is so fun to read this amazing thing

  • Really good

  • Dena Mcdonal

    Is there anywhere that Sir David hasn’t been? Where is his favourite place?

  • Emma Minen

    Wow that is fascinating!

  • Emma

    I like David Attenborough because he loves animals like me!

  • Lily

    He is my role model and i hope he inspires more people

  • Isabel

    I had no idea he was born in the same year as Queen Elizabeth! That's pretty cool!

  • Ron Shann

    A truely special individual!

  • jef

    That's surprising that he served in the navy, he doesn't seem the type to do that.

  • Penny aged 12

    Wow a knighthood

  • Foxy

    He's such a nice person , his whole live dedicated to nature

  • Seb aged 10

    I really think he is awesome

  • Sandra

    What a marvelous man and what a legacy he leaves for us all.

  • mia

    it is so crazy that he did not have a tv when he was growing up an he is so smart

  • cairo

    he changed the world

  • Ava

    he is so cool i want to be like him one day

  • Isobella age 8

    When I grow up I want to be like David Attenborough I love nature

  • Lola Hyndman

    So interesting and all off these are brilliant I don’t like rats either

  • Donald L Howard

    He is a fantastic documentary film maker. It's great that he met Greta Thunberg, the Swedish climate activist. Their difference in age: Over 75 years!

  • Christine Haynes

    I live in new zealand and ex pat from uk. Have followed his programms forever. And his skill is humongous teaching people how to appreciate the best of our natural environment

  • not saying my name

    He probably owns many Nepenthes attenboroughiis if he hates rats.

  • Great work on your facts!!!

  • David Attenborough is amazing! I had no idea about all the things he has done!!

  • charlotte

    this was very educational

  • Anna

    Nice article

  • Grace

    I liked this website because it is very good and gave me lots of information that I didn't know

  • Brenda Cheers

    David Attenborough is the most amazing person on this planet

  • Blueberry

    Soooo cool

  • Lily aged 6

    I can't believe that he travelled so far away. I don't like rats either. I am pleased that he got a knighthood.

  • Nice

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    in teresting facts right there

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