David Attenborough HonFRSE celebrates 100th birthday

Today, 8 May, national treasure and Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Sir David Attenborough marks his 100th birthday.

Sir David was elected as  an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 2005,  for what was an already distinguished career in broadcasting. Honorary Fellowships are awarded to individuals of truly exceptional distinction. It is an honour bestowed on individuals who are internationally renowned and are likely to be widely known outside their specialism.

Sir David exemplifies the values of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, which was established in 1783 for “the advancement of learning and useful knowledge”.

In the citation for Sir David’s Fellowship, it was noted that he had “probably done more than anybody else to present biology in a manner and style that makes it not only interesting to the general public, but also understandable and enjoyable.”

In a letter to the RSE accepting his nomination, Sir David wrote: “I am greatly honoured by the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s wish to make me an Honorary Fellow and needless to say, accept with the greatest pleasure.”

In 2015 he visited the RSE to take part in an event named The Science of Beauty where he gave a talk entitled Beauty in the Animal World.

In 2019, at a BBC screening in London for one of his nature series, Sir David was asked by the father of a five-year old child, too nervous to ask the question himself, “what can he do to save the planet?”

In a now-famous remark, Sir David responded: “Live the way you want to live but just don’t waste.” In 2025, the RSE hosted a special climate event exploring how Scotland, and the world, can respond to the five interlinked crises of biodiversity loss, climate change, food and water insecurity, and public health. The event was titled “Just Don’t Waste” based Sir David’s famous quote, and the usage of the title was approved by Sir David himself.

RSE President Professor Sir Anton Muscatelli PRSE said:

“On behalf of all Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, I am pleased to join the many people around the country and across the world in wishing Sir David Attenborough a very happy 100^th birthday.

“Since his broadcasting debut in 1953, Sir David has educated and entertained audiences, showcasing the natural world, our place within it and, crucially, our responsibility for it. Having dedicated his career to helping the public engage with the natural world, Sir David embodies the RSE’s commitment to the application of useful knowledge for the betterment of society, reflecting the mission of the RSE since 1783.

“Congratulations to Sir David on this very special milestone.”