Frederick Attenborough

Frederick Attenborough was a prominent British academic and administrator, best known for his long tenure as Principal of University College, Leicester, the institution that later became the University of Leicester. His leadership was instrumental in guiding the college through a period of significant expansion and development during the mid-20th century. He is also widely recognized as the father of the celebrated broadcaster David Attenborough and the filmmaker and actor Richard Attenborough.

Early life and education

Frederick Attenborough was born in 1887 in the town of Stapleford, Nottinghamshire, into a family with a strong tradition in education. He pursued his higher education at University College, Nottingham, which was then a part of the University of London. Attenborough excelled in his studies, particularly in the field of English literature, and graduated with first-class honours. His academic prowess earned him a research fellowship, allowing him to contribute to scholarly work on Anglo-Saxon law and language, an interest that would persist throughout his life.

Academic career

Attenborough began his professional academic career as a lecturer at his alma mater, University College, Nottingham. In 1932, he was appointed Principal of University College, Leicester, a position he held for over two decades until his retirement in 1951. His leadership was marked by a steadfast commitment to academic excellence and the physical growth of the institution, overseeing the construction of new facilities and the expansion of the student body. He navigated the college through the challenges of the Second World War, including the relocation of some departments and the admission of students from the University of London who were displaced by the Blitz. His efforts were pivotal in securing the college's eventual independence and its transformation into the University of Leicester in 1957.

Family and personal life

In 1922, Frederick Attenborough married Mary Clegg, who was a founding member of the Marriage Guidance Council and a committed social reformer. The couple had three sons: Richard Attenborough, who became an acclaimed actor and director known for films like *Gandhi*; David Attenborough, the world-renowned natural historian and broadcaster for the BBC; and John Attenborough, who pursued a career in the executive sector of the Ford Motor Company. The family home on the campus of University College, Leicester was a vibrant intellectual environment. Attenborough was a committed Congregationalist and served as a lay preacher, values he and his wife instilled in their children.

Legacy and recognition

Frederick Attenborough's primary legacy is the robust foundation he built for the University of Leicester, with the main library being named the Frederick Attenborough Building in his honour. His scholarly work, including the publication *The Laws of the Earliest English Kings*, remains a respected resource in the field of Anglo-Saxon studies. However, his most enduring public recognition stems from the monumental achievements of his sons, Richard Attenborough and David Attenborough, whose global contributions to film and natural history have forever associated the Attenborough name with excellence and public service. His life and work are commemorated in the archives of the University of Leicester and through the ongoing philanthropic activities of the Attenborough family.

Category:1887 births Category:1973 deaths Category:British academics Category:Alumni of University College, Nottingham Category:People from Stapleford, Nottinghamshire Category:Principals of University College, Leicester