15 fascinating facts about Sir David Attenborough
Check out some fascinating David Attenborough facts, from his very first documentary to his least favourite animal, below…
On 8 May 2023, Britain’s favourite naturalist, Sir David Attenborough, turned 97!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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Soooo cool
I can't believe that he travelled so far away. I don't like rats either. I am pleased that he got a knighthood.
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