Mary Attenborough
Mary Attenborough | |
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| Born | 8 April 1896 Sawley, Long Eaton, Derbyshire, England |
| Died | July 1961 (aged 65) |
| Known for | Philanthropy Social work |
| Spouse | |
| Children | |
| Relatives |
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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]
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 Head Teacher of Long Eaton School, and his wife Mary (née Bradshaw).[5][6] Between 1910 and 1913, she attended Long Eaton school, where her father was 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]
Death
She died in a car accident in July 1961 aged 65.[10][1]
References
- ^ a b "Newspaper clipping photograph of Mary Attenborough · Leicester Special Collections". leicester.omeka.net. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
- ^ Levy, Mike (2021). Get the Children Out!: Unsung heroes of the Kindertransport. Lemon Soul Ltd. p. 40. ISBN 978-1-9993781-4-1.
- ^ Seaton, Jean (2015). "5. Attenborough: the public service animal". Pinkoes and Traitors: The BBC and the nation, 1974–1987. London: Profile Books. p. 106. ISBN 978-1-84765-916-3.
- ^ "College House, University Road, Leicester". www.ukholocaustmap.org.uk. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
- ^ a b Graves, pp. 3-11
- ^ a b Pettman, Helen (14 April 2022). "Mary Attenborough – 'A Woman of our Time'". Evington Echo. Archived from the original on 23 November 2025. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
- ^ Graves, pp. 31-35
- ^ a b c Graves, pp. 36-39
- ^ a b "Mary Attenborough (1896-1961)". University of Leicester. Archived from the original on 22 November 2025. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
- ^ "Mary Attenborough (1896-1961) | Celebrating our Citizens of Change". University of Leicester. Retrieved 2026-02-09.
Bibliography
- Graves, Richard (2022). The Life and Times of Mary Attenborough (1896-1961). Book Guild Limited. ISBN 978-1-914471-14-8.