David Attenborough
Rejected by BBC radio; seven decades later, the most traveled broadcaster in natural history.
David Attenborough was born in 1926 in London, England. David Attenborough's background is described as English; raised on a university campus in Leicester. Growing up, the family was middle class — his father was principal of University College Leicester; he grew up collecting fossils on campus. Rejected by BBC radio; seven decades later, the most traveled broadcaster in natural history.
- Born
- 1926 · London, England
- Roots
- English; raised on a university campus in Leicester
- Family
- Middle class
- His father was principal of University College Leicester; he grew up collecting fossils on campus.
- Education
- Cambridge (natural sciences)
- Started with
- A BBC traineeship
- His radio application was rejected; a television training scheme took him instead in 1952.
- Affiliations & societies
- Royal SocietyDocumented
- Elected a Fellow in 1983.
- Information only — claims like these are often unverifiable and may be wrong.
The pathway
- 1952 · age 26BBC trainee
An early internal memo reportedly judged him unsuited to appearing on camera.
- 1954 · age 28Zoo Quest
Fronts the expedition series when the presenter falls ill.
- 1965 · age 38Controller of BBC Two
Commissions Civilisation and, later, Monty Python's Flying Circus.
- 1972 · age 46Quits management
Resigns a director post to go back to making programmes.
- 1979 · age 52Life on Earth
The 13-part series sets the template for the modern nature documentary.
- 2019 · age 93Climate witness
Addresses the UN and Davos; some 40 species have been named after him.
Frequently asked questions
Where is David Attenborough from?
David Attenborough was born in 1926 in London, England. Their background is described as English; raised on a university campus in Leicester.
When was David Attenborough born?
David Attenborough was born in 1926, in London, England.
What is David Attenborough's background or ethnicity?
David Attenborough's roots are described as English; raised on a university campus in Leicester. These are broad categories drawn from public sources, not statements about how the person identifies.
Where did David Attenborough go to school?
David Attenborough's education: Cambridge (natural sciences).
What was David Attenborough's family background growing up?
At birth the family was middle class. His father was principal of University College Leicester; he grew up collecting fossils on campus.
How did David Attenborough get started?
David Attenborough started with a BBC traineeship. His radio application was rejected; a television training scheme took him instead in 1952.
Sources
Compiled from these references and contemporaneous press reporting. Figures are approximate; verify before relying on them.