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 2024, Britain’s favourite naturalist, Sir David Attenborough, turned 98!
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!
LEAVE A COMMENT
THANK YOU
Your comment will be checked and approved shortly.
WELL DONE,
YOUR COMMENT
HAS BEEN ADDED!
COMMENTS
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.
Nice
so cool
ok
coool
hi
cool
Cooll
cool
95 amazing
can't wait
great website
wow
in teresting facts right there
we must take more care in it . it is getting out of control love Ethan and Amelie
I love the facs and we lirnt alot
wow thats good omg
well done !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Such good information make more like this!
WOW WOW WOW WOW
that is cool
Cool
Helpful
cool
Cool
Wow!
Nice
Cool
EPIC!!!!!!!!!
nice
cooooooooooooool
cooooooooooooooooooolllll
Helped me a lot
i think this app is helpful
wooooooooooooooooooow
Awesome
Awsom
coool
cool
He is now in 2021, 95 years old! That's a lot of candles!
amazing facts
this was really helpful! next time do you think you can add some more facts as I find david very interesting
I agree with 78merryway as I felt as if there could have been some more interesting facts about him.
Hi
I would suggest that you add more facts and features
Wow
I love david attenborough
cool
: )
you are epic
Lesss goooooooo
Very helpful!
very interesting i learnt alot
I like cats
very clear and nice facts simple
it was very helpful and clear
how do know this?? it amazing!!!
It is helping my school assignment thanks
HE IS SO COOL!!!
amazing
Wow
he is amazing person
Never knew!
cool
Awesome this is cool.
Nice you are awesome
COOL O GOD
Wow!
Wow
Wow
Omg I really want to be like him
This was very cool
he is amazing i want to be like him when i am older
It always gives me so much information, but sometimes there is just not enough.
Yay
Brilliant
Sir David Attenborough is amazing
What an amazing person
Amazing I pray his kingdom will be protected for future generation to be educated and aware of what’s going on in our planet... animals are our teachers Nothing is created for no good reason
I think Sir David is amazing.
Good work on finding this information
You are the best at making videos
That's so cool.i never knew these things about Sir David Attenbrough.
Great facts I admire Sir David Attenborough and I am doing him as my passion project. when I grow up I am going to spend my life caring for animal and thanks loads for the information!!!
I'am doing a science project on him.
I ❤️ David Attenborough!
I have been entertained by David Attenborough's work and videos. I love his video's and all the animals he has seen and gone near.
hes so cute and pure i love himmmm
I'm a big fan of Sir David Attenborough. When I grow up I'm going to make a difference to the world just like him.
SO HELPFUL WE HAVE TO WRITE A BIOGRAPHY ABOUT HIM!!!
AWESOME!
David Attenborough lived for a very long time and he's still alive
cool
cool
brilliant in everything he does. he's amazing
Have loved David forever!!
Wow I love this you have been my fav person who studies animals plus I did my project on you it was really fun and interesting
good facts
i love David Attenborough! i always watch hisshows and i hope to be a zoologist when im older
I really enjoyed learning about sir David Attenborough. I am interested in animals as well and hope to become a zoologist. I hate a few animals but rats are one of them.
David Attenborough is amazing! I is going to make a vine for him!
I never knew any of these awesome facts about Sir David
Wow i never knew David Attenborough didn't like rats and that he actually met prince Charles and princess Anne
I come from Leicester
I found out things I didn't know, and I come from Leicester.
This was great
Really good info on David attenborough
Wow!
David Attenborough is my hero!!!
Hes such an inspiration and an incredible man, he will always be a legend and the world will grieve to his death because hes someone who has show and changed our views in nature :)
I really love you David because you are so inspiring to me!
Amazing
All I want to say is this was a big help on homework! LoL
david attenborogh is the best
Cant believe he won all those baftas
Im doing a speech on rats- Im awed to know david Attenborough doesnt like them either!! :-) xxxxxxx
Very informative. Im fascinated that he was born in the same year as the Queen!!!
I cant believe he doesnt like rats! They can be such friendly animals.
I found the facts fascinating. We try to watch all the things he dose
Amazing. Just amazing! I love animals. Sir David Attenborough is the best!!!!!
Really interesting
Hes super!
Happy birthday Sir David Attenborough! Hope you enjoy! Thank you for doing all your TV shows. My favourite is the Life of Birds documentary.
Nice facts Sir I salute to you
Sir David is the most inspirational animal lover and Ive learnt so much from his programmes.
David has help educate myself and my 3 children. He has brought nature into our house in a way no one ever else has. I know he is respected by my kids when I see their usual kids sitcom/cartoons switched over to catch up on Human Planet. Well done David
Good to find out more about one of my favourite people. Everything hes produced has been brilliant and ground-breaking, but such a humble man. A legend of our time!
CUSTOMIZE YOUR AVATAR