Sir David Attenborough
(1926-), Naturalist and broadcaster; brother of Baron AttenboroughSitter in 8 portraits
Attenborough's distinguished broadcasting career, which spans over fifty years, began in 1952 when he joined the BBC Television Talks department. He launched his first Natural History programme Zoo Quest in 1954, and in 1957 formed the BBC's Travel and Exploration unit. In 1965, as Controller of the BBC, Attenborough was responsible for the introduction of colour television into Britain. He is celebrated for writing and presenting the 'Life' series comprising Life on Earth (1979), The Living Planet (1984) and The Trials of Life (1990). Attenborough's numerous specialised surveys include Life in the Freezer (1993) and Life in Cold Blood (2008).
Watch a film clip on the sitter from the BBC Archive in the Media section below
Sir David Attenborough; Richard Attenborough
by Ivy Smith
oil on canvas, 1989
NPG 6073
by Richard Boll
digital black and white fibre print, 7 February 2007
NPG P1296
by Unknown photographer
bromide print, 1960s
NPG x341
by Godfrey Argent
bromide print, 18 March 1969
NPG x163780
by Julian Anderson
bromide fibre print, 1995
NPG x87804
Sir David Attenborough; Queen Elizabeth II
by Joan Williams
C-type colour print, 1986
NPG x200326
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