David Attenborough

Sir David Frederick Attenborough, OM, CH, CVO, CBE, FRS (born on May 8, 1926 in London, England) is the presenter of many ground-breaking and award winning BBC wildlife documentaries, and a former senior manager for the BBC. He has travelled widely, originally to collect animals for zoos. He is also an anthropologist and is on the advisory board of BBC Wildlife magazine.

Education and early career

Attenborough was educated at Wyggeston Grammar School for Boys in Leicester and then won a scholarship to Clare College, Cambridge, University of Cambridge, where he obtained a degree in (see) Natural Sciences.

Related Topics:
Wyggeston Grammar School for Boys - Leicester - Clare College, Cambridge - University of Cambridge

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He joined the Royal Navy in 1947 and, after two years' service, worked for a publishing company, eventually joining the BBC in 1952. His association with natural history programmes began in 1954 with the series, Zoo Quest.

Related Topics:
Royal Navy - 1947 - 1952 - Natural history - 1954 - Zoo Quest

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

From 1965 to 1968, Attenborough was Controller of BBC2, as it was then styled. From 1969 to 1972, he was BBC Television's Director of Programmes (making him responsible overall for both BBC1 and BBC2), but turned down the offer to become Director General of the BBC. In 1972, he resigned his post and returned to programme making.

Related Topics:
1965 - 1968 - BBC2 - 1969 - 1972 - BBC1 - Director General of the BBC

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Among the programmes he commissioned during his time as Controller of BBC2 were Match of the Day, Pot Black, The Likely Lads, Not Only... But Also, Horizon, Man Alive, Masterclass, The Forsyte Saga, The Old Grey Whistle Test and The Money Programme. This diversity of programme types reflects Attenborough's belief that BBC2's output should be as varied as possible.

Related Topics:
Match of the Day - Pot Black - The Likely Lads - Not Only... But Also - Horizon - Man Alive - Masterclass - The Forsyte Saga - The Old Grey Whistle Test - The Money Programme

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~