Frederick Attenborough - University of Leicester

University of Leicester

Attenborough was principal of University College, Leicester from 1932 to 1951, and lived with his family on campus in College House (which now houses part of the University's Mathematics department).

He was married to Mary Clegg (died 1961), of New Sawley. They had three children:

• Richard Samuel Attenborough, now Lord Attenborough, the actor and director
• David Frederick Attenborough, now Sir David, the TV naturalist
• John Michael Attenborough, Executive at Alfa Romeo

During the Second World War, the Attenboroughs took in two Jewish refugee girls who lived with them in College House. One of them encouraged son David's fascination with the natural world by giving him a piece of amber.