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[[Image:DSC 0021 large.jpg|right||thumb|300px|Sir David Attenborough.]]
[[United Kingdom|UK]] [[naturalist]] and [[broadcasting|broadcaster]] Sir '''David Attenborough''' was born in 1926. The middle son of a family of five siblings, including two adopted daughters, the family fled [[National Socialism|Nazi]] [[Germany]]. Attenborough collected natural history specimens from his childhood. His professional and slightly [[eccentricity|eccentric]] style has long made him a favourite among British [[television]] viewers, and he remains highly respected by the [[science|scientific]] community; the [[biology|biologist]] [[Richard Dawkins]] once called him "the most reasonable man in [[England]]".<ref>Dawkins (2006).</ref>
Sir '''David Attenborough''' (born 8th May 1926 in [[London]], [[England]]) is an [[English people|English]] [[naturalist]] and [[broadcasting|broadcaster]]. His professional and slightly [[eccentricity|eccentric]] style, combined with a modestly-conveyed authority on [[natural history]], has long made him a favourite among British [[television]] viewers, and he remains highly respected by the [[science|scientific]] community; the [[biology|biologist]] [[Richard Dawkins]] once called him "perhaps the most respected man in [[England]]".<ref>Dawkins (2007: 377).</ref> He remains highly active in programme-making; his latest project on [[reptile]]s and [[amphibian]]s, ''Life in Cold Blood'', is scheduled to air in 2008.<ref>''BBC Science & Nature'': [http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/programmes/who/david_attenborough.shtml TV and Radio Follow-up - Presenters - David Attenborough].</ref> Attenborough has also championed [[environmentalism|environmental]] causes and supported a campaign against [[creationism]] in [[United Kingdom|British]] schools.<ref>Dawkins (2007: 377, 447).</ref>


==Controller of BBC2==
==Natural history programmes==
The UK national broadcaster's second TV channel began transmitting in 1964. Attenborough became the second BBC2 controller in 1965 after Michael Peacock. Under his watch the channel commissioned two major series: 'Civilization' presented by the art historian Lord Clark, and later 'The Ascent of Man' which looked at civilization scientifically. In 1969 he became [[BBC]] director of television.
For ten years up to 1963, UK TV broadcast Attenborough's first major TV series on nature, 'Zoo Quest,' made in cooperation with London Zoo. The programmes narrated the search for new specimens for the Zoo's collection.
 
==BBc career==
Attenborough was once a high-ranking member of the [[BBC]], offered the post of director-general, but he turned it down to concentrate on natural history. This marked the end of a distinguished career at the Corporation: Attenborough had become the second BBC2 controller in 1965 after Michael Peacock. Under his stewardship the channel commissioned two major series: ''Civilization'', presented by the [[art]] historian [[Lord Clark]], and later ''The Ascent of Man'' which looked at civilization scientifically. In 1969 he became [[BBC]] director of television.
 
==Family and childhood==
The middle son of a family of five siblings, including two adopted daughters, Attenborough collected [[natural history]] specimens from his childhood. His family fled [[National Socialism|Nazi]] [[Germany]]. His older brother, Lord 'Dickie' [[Richard, Lord Attenborough|Attenborough]], is an[[actor]] and [[film director]]. His father, [[Frederick Levi Attenborough]] (1887–1973), taught and later took his [[Bachelor of Arts|BA]] in 1918 with a first in [[Medieval]] and [[Modern Languages]] at [[Emmanuel College, Cambridge]]. While a College Junior Fellow in 1922 Frederick published his research dissertation 'The Laws of the Earliest English Kings', which was reprinted in 2006. Frederick became Principal of Borough Road Training College, Isleworth (1924–32) and of University College, Leicester (1932–51) where David grew up on the campus.


==Natural History on UK TV==
==References==
For ten years up to 1963, UK TV broadcast Attenborough's first major TV series on nature, 'Zoo Quest,' made in cooperation with London Zoo. The programmes narrated the search for new specimens for the Zoo's collection.
*Dawkins R (2007) ''The God Delusion''. London: Transworld. ISBN 0-552-773317-7. Paperback edition with new footnotes and preface.  


==Family==
==External links==
His older brother, Lord [[Richard Attenborough]], [[actor|acts in]] and [[film director|directs]] film. His father, [[Frederick Levi Attenborough]] (1887–1973), taught and later took his [[Bachelor of Arts|BA]] in 1918 with a first in [[Medieval]] and [[Modern Languages]] at [[Emmanuel College, Cambridge]]. While a College Junior Fellow in 1922 Frederick published his research dissertation 'The Laws of the Earliest English Kings', which was reprinted in 2006. Frederick became Principal of Borough Road Training College, Isleworth (1924–32) and of University College, Leicester (1932–51) where David grew up on the campus.
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/programmes/who/david_attenborough.shtml BBC - Science & Nature - TV and Radio Follow-up - Presenters - David Attenborough] - BBC biography.


[[Category:Media Workgroup|Attenborough, David]]
[[Category:Media Workgroup|Attenborough, David]]

Revision as of 06:21, 17 July 2007

Sir David Attenborough.

Sir David Attenborough (born 8th May 1926 in London, England) is an English naturalist and broadcaster. His professional and slightly eccentric style, combined with a modestly-conveyed authority on natural history, has long made him a favourite among British television viewers, and he remains highly respected by the scientific community; the biologist Richard Dawkins once called him "perhaps the most respected man in England".[1] He remains highly active in programme-making; his latest project on reptiles and amphibians, Life in Cold Blood, is scheduled to air in 2008.[2] Attenborough has also championed environmental causes and supported a campaign against creationism in British schools.[3]

Natural history programmes

For ten years up to 1963, UK TV broadcast Attenborough's first major TV series on nature, 'Zoo Quest,' made in cooperation with London Zoo. The programmes narrated the search for new specimens for the Zoo's collection.

BBc career

Attenborough was once a high-ranking member of the BBC, offered the post of director-general, but he turned it down to concentrate on natural history. This marked the end of a distinguished career at the Corporation: Attenborough had become the second BBC2 controller in 1965 after Michael Peacock. Under his stewardship the channel commissioned two major series: Civilization, presented by the art historian Lord Clark, and later The Ascent of Man which looked at civilization scientifically. In 1969 he became BBC director of television.

Family and childhood

The middle son of a family of five siblings, including two adopted daughters, Attenborough collected natural history specimens from his childhood. His family fled Nazi Germany. His older brother, Lord 'Dickie' Attenborough, is anactor and film director. His father, Frederick Levi Attenborough (1887–1973), taught and later took his BA in 1918 with a first in Medieval and Modern Languages at Emmanuel College, Cambridge. While a College Junior Fellow in 1922 Frederick published his research dissertation 'The Laws of the Earliest English Kings', which was reprinted in 2006. Frederick became Principal of Borough Road Training College, Isleworth (1924–32) and of University College, Leicester (1932–51) where David grew up on the campus.

References

  • Dawkins R (2007) The God Delusion. London: Transworld. ISBN 0-552-773317-7. Paperback edition with new footnotes and preface.

External links

  1. ↑ Dawkins (2007: 377).
  2. ↑ BBC Science & Nature: TV and Radio Follow-up - Presenters - David Attenborough.
  3. ↑ Dawkins (2007: 377, 447).
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