Profile Text
Attenborough – South Bank Show Awards 2008 – Press Room – The Dorchester Hotel – London, England – Photo Credit: Solarpix / PR Photos
Birth Name: Richard Samuel Attenborough
Date of Birth: 29 August, 1923
Place of Birth: Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, U.K.
Date of Death: 24 August, 2014
Place of Death: Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England, U.K.
Ethnicity: English
Richard Attenborough was an English actor, filmmaker, director, producer, businessperson, and politician. He won the Academy Award for Best Director for Gandhi (1982). A member of the Labour Party, he was a Member of the House of Lords/Lord Temporal, from 30 July, 1993 to 24 August, 2014, his death; and Chancellor of the University of Sussex, from 20 March, 1998 to July 2008.
Richard was the son of Mary (Clegg) and Frederick Attenborough (Frederick Levi Attenborough), an academic. He was the brother of zoologist and naturalist David Attenborough , and motor industry executive and financial adviser John Attenborough. He was in the U.K. Royal Air Force, from 1940 to 1945. Richard was married to actress Sheila Sim, until his death, with whom he had three children, theatre director Michael Attenborough, arts administrator and arts manager Jane Attenborough, and actress Charlotte Attenborough. He was the grandfather of actor and theatre director Tom Attenborough and actor and climate campaigner Will Attenborough.
Richard’s paternal grandfather was Frederick Augustus Attenborough (the son of George Attenborough and Sarah Peet). Frederick was born in Stapleford, Nottinghamshire. George was the son of Francis Attenborough and Mary Hallam.
Richard’s paternal grandmother was Mary Amelia Sophia Saxon (the daughter of Levi Saxon and Eliza Needham). Mary was born in Hucknall, Nottinghamshire. Levi was the son of Charles Saxton and Ann. Eliza was the daughter of Thomas Needham and Elizabeth.
Richard’s maternal grandfather was Samuel Clegg (the son of Alexander Clegg and Isabella Pilling). Samuel was born in Astwood Bank, Worcestershire. Alexander was the son of James Clegg and Margaret Robb/Hutchinson.
Richard’s maternal grandmother was Mary Bradshaw (the daughter of John Bradshaw and Harriet Needham). Mary was born in Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire. John was the son of John Bradshaw and Catherine Stenson. Harriet was the daughter of Samuel Needham and Mary Smith.
Sources: Genealogies of Richard Attenborough – http://www.geni.com http://gw.geneanet.org