It’s hard to think of anyone more deserving of our first Pantheon selection than Sir David Attenborough, a man who has almost single-handedly helped shape the understanding of – and simultaneously foster a deep love for – the natural world for millions of people.
Although we think of Attenborough primarily as a natural historian, his contribution to the world of broadcasting prior to that is also deeply impressive. However much you think you know about him, a good read of his Wikipedia page will likely tell you even more.
His recent documentary A Life on Our Planet chronicles his experiences in nature, set against the decline of natural habitats, species and climate change. By turns both heartwarming and heartbreaking, it also underlines his status as a long-term thinker, warning us all of the perils of ignoring the world around us.
We are at a unique stage in our history. Never before have we had such an awareness of what we are doing to the planet, and never before have we had the power to do something about that.
Sir David Attenborough
Learn more
David Attenborough's page on Wikipedia
Nine astonishing ways David Attenborough shaped your world