Mary Attenborough
British philanthropist and social activist (1896–1961)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mary Attenborough (née Clegg; 8 April 1896 – July 1961)[1] was a British philanthropist and social activist, the wife of Frederick Attenborough, mother of Richard, David, and John Attenborough, and advocate for safety and education of children. She played a key role in organising and fundraising to ensure the safe reception and care of child refugees arriving in Leicester during the Spanish Civil War and the Second World War.[2][3][4]
8 April 1896
Social work
Mary Attenborough | |
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| Born | Mary Clegg 8 April 1896 Sawley, Long Eaton, Derbyshire, England |
| Died | July 1961 (aged 65) |
| Known for | Philanthropy Social work |
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Early life and education
Mary Attenborough (née Clegg) was born on 8 April 1896 in New Sawley, Long Eaton, Derbyshire.[5][6] She was the eldest of six children of Samuel Clegg, later headteacher of The Long Eaton School, and his wife Mary (née Bradshaw).[5][6] Between 1910 and 1913, she attended The Long Eaton School, where her father was the head.[7]
First World War and interwar period
Limited information on Attenborough's activities between 1913 and 1922 suggest she was sympathetic to the suffrage movement, though whether she was active in that movement is not clear.[8] During the First World War she likely volunteered on a farm in the village of Costock.[8] In early 1914 she travelled to Sorbonne in Paris.[8]
In the interwar period Attenborough was Secretary for the Leicestershire Committee for the Basque Children.[9]
Second World War
Attenborough assisted refugee children arriving in Leicester via the kindertransport in the Second World War.[9]
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