David Suzuki

David Suzuki - Academics, Family and Childhood

Violet FieldHome › CanadianDavid SuzukiMarch 24, 1936683 views

0 based on 0 rates
David Suzuki Biography Stories 

David Suzuki's Personal Details

David Suzuki is a Canadian academic and science broadcaster

InformationDetail
BirthdayMarch 24, 1936
NationalityCanadian
FamousAtheists, Amherst College, University Of Chicago, Environmental Activists, Intellectuals & Academics, Academics, Enviromental Activist
SpousesSetsuko Joane Sunahara, Tara Elizabeth Cullis
SiblingsDawn, Geraldine, Marcia
Known asDavid Takayoshi Suzuki
ChildrensSarika Cullis-Suzuki, Severn Cullis-Suzuki
Universities
  • Amherst College,University Of Chicago
  • University of Chicago
  • Amherst College
  • London Central Secondary School
Notable Alumnis
  • Amherst College
  • University Of Chicago
Founder / Co-Founder
  • David Suzuki Foundation.
  • Quirks and Quarks.
Birth PlaceVancouver
Height162
GenderMale
FatherKaoru Carr Suzuki
MotherSetsu Nakamura
Net Worth$0.5 million as of Mar 10,2017
Sun SignAries
Born inVancouver
Famous asAcademic, Enviromental Activist

// Famous Academics

Abū Rayḥān al-Bīrūnī

Abū Rayḥān al-Bīrūnī

Abu Rayhan al-Biruni is esteemed as one among the supreme scholar belonging to medieval Persia. This biography of Al-Biruni provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works and timeline.

Ayodele Awojobi

Ayodele Awojobi

Ayodele Awojobi was a Nigerian educator, author, inventor, and political activist. This biography of Ayodele Awojobi provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline

Peter Mark Roget

Peter Mark Roget

Peter Mark Roget was an English physician and philologist who is most celebrated for 'Roget's Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases'.

David Suzuki's photo

Who is David Suzuki?

David Suzuki is an eminent Canadian science broadcaster and environmental activist. Born into a third generation Japanese-Canadian family that suffered greatly during World War II, he came to appreciate nature and man’s dependence on it. Conservation, according to him, is a necessity for humankind’s own survival. Through his radio and television programs, he has tried to educate the layperson. Thanks to him, people all over the world began to realize the need to co-exist with nature. Renewable energy, global warming, toxic pollution, climate change, carbon footprint became matters of national policy of many governments across the globe. As a genetic science scholar, he voiced his views on the benefits and also on the ethical problems arising from it. His books on genetics have been prescribed as textbook in the U.S. He has been outspoken on many national issues in Canada including the immigration policy, which he described as xenophobic, and the rights of aboriginal people. He also used the print media to espouse the need to maintain a balance between technological progress and sustainable ecology. A winner of many awards and honors, this broadcaster cum environmentalist is a big celebrity in his country. His foundation has been championing many of the issues that are close to his heart.

Childhood & Early Life

David Suzuki was one of the twins born to Setsu Nakamaru and Kaoru Carr Suzuki in Vancouver, Canada. Apart from his twin sister, Marcia, he had two other siblings, Geraldine and Dawn.

In 1942, during the Second World War, the family was interned in a camp at Slocan in the British Columbian Interior, and his father was sent to work in a labor camp in Solsqua.

When World War ended in 1945, his family shifted to Islington, Learnington where he attended Mill Street Elementary School and Learington Secondary School. Here, his interest in the environmental studies was stimulated by his father.

The family then shifted to London, Ontario and he began to attend London Central Secondary School. His popularity is attested by the fact that he became the Students' Council President by a massive majority.

He graduated in Biology in 1958, from Amherst College in Massachusetts where he became fascinated with the study of genetics, and completed his Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Chicago, three years later.

Career

He became a professor in the Genetics Department at the University of British Colombia in 1963. He devoted his career as an academician to genetic research using fruit flies as the model.

He began his television career with the children’s program, Suzuki on Science, in 1970. The initial episodes of the series echoed the host’s specialty of genetics but, the later ones encompassed other areas.

In 1974, he hosted on CBC AM radio, a programe called ‘Quirks & Quarks’. The show had the host interviewing scientists and a panel of scientists replying to listener’s questions.

From 1975 till the end of the decade, he hosted a weekly television program called ‘Science Magazine’, which targeted the adult audience. There were interviews, science updates and segments like ‘How Things Work’.

Since 1979, he has been hosting ‘The Nature of Things’, a television series on CBC. The program intends to create awareness about the threats faced by wildlife, and benefits of renewable energy.

He produced the documentary, ‘Yellowstone to Yukon: The Wildlands Project’, in 1997, for the Discovery Channel, based on conservationist Dave Foreman’s project about creating buffer zones around large wild reserves to preserve biological diversity.

In 1990, his book, ‘Genethics: The Clash between the New Genetics and Human Values’ was published to enlighten and educate a lay person on modern genetic technology and the many ethical issues involved.

He co-authored with Anita Gordon, ‘It’s a Matter of Survival’, which was published in 1991. The book makes a prediction of the condition of human society and environment 50 years on and suggests ways improve it.

‘The Sacred Balance’, written by him in 2007, stresses the dependence of human beings upon the planet’s natural resources. A series of documentary films were also made based on the book.

Major Works

David Suzuki’s 1985 serial, ‘A planet for the Taking’, called for a major perceptual shift towards nature. Each of the episodes of this acclaimed series was watched by an estimated 1.8 million people per episodes.

‘David Suzuki: The Autobiography’, published in 2006, traces his life from childhood to his current celebrity status. It was No. 1 on Maclean's list of non-fiction bestsellers in Canada for four weeks.

Awards & Achievements

David Suzuki was awarded the ‘Order of Canada’ in 1976. It is conferred in recognition to the highest degree of merit, talent and service, or an exceptional contribution to Canada and humanity.

In 1995, he was honored with the ‘Order of British Columbia’, a civilian honor of merit in the province of British Columbia intended to honor its residents for conspicuous achievements in any field.

He was awarded the UNESCO’s ‘Kalinga Prize’ for Popularization of Science in 1986. The award is given for exceptional skill in presenting scientific ideas to lay people.

In 2004, he was voted as the ‘Fifth Greatest Canadian’, from a list of ten finalists, by viewers in the television series ‘The Greatest Canadian’ by the ‘Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’.

‘Global Exchange’, an advocacy group based in San Francisco, awarded him the ‘International Human Rights Award’ in 2007, as part of its mission to promote human rights and environmental justice.

In 2009, he was awarded the ‘Honorary Right Livelihood Award’, also referred to as the ‘Alternative Nobel Prize’ for working on practical and exemplary solutions to the most urgent challenges facing the world.

Personal Life & Legacy

David Suzuki has five children, three of them from his first wife Setsuko Joane Sunahara, his high school sweetheart and two from his present wife Tara Elizabeth Cullis, whom he married in 1972.

‘The David Suzuki Foundation’, headquartered in Vancouver, Canada is a nonprofit organization founded by him in 1991 to work for balancing human needs with the earth’s ability to sustain life.

Trivia

This famous broadcaster and environmentalist declared, ‘We’re in a giant car heading towards a brick wall and everyone’s arguing over where they’re going to sit’.

This famous environmentalist admires Rachel Carson, the American marine biologist and conservationist, and Nelson Mandela, the South African anti-apartheid revolutionary and former President of South Africa.

// Famous University Of Chicago

Satya Nadella

Satya Nadella

Satya Nadella is the current CEO of Microsoft. This biography provides detailed information about his childhood, profile, career, net worth & timeline

Emily Greene Balch

Emily Greene Balch

Emily Greene Balch was an American economist, sociologist and pacifist who won the 1946 Nobel Peace Prize. This biography of Emily Greene Balch provides detailed information about her childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.

Susan Sontag

Susan Sontag

Susan Sontag is an American critical essayist, cultural analyst, novelist, political activist, filmmaker and playwright of international repute. Read on to find out more about her childhood, career, profile and timeline.

David Suzuki's awards

YearNameAward

Other

02006 - Bradford Washburn Award
0 2009 - Right Livelihood Award

David Suzuki biography timelines

  • // 24th Mar 1936
    David Suzuki was one of the twins born to Setsu Nakamaru and Kaoru Carr Suzuki in Vancouver, Canada. Apart from his twin sister, Marcia, he had two other siblings, Geraldine and Dawn.
  • // 1942
    In 1942, during the Second World War, the family was interned in a camp at Slocan in the British Columbian Interior, and his father was sent to work in a labor camp in Solsqua.
  • // 1945
    When World War ended in 1945, his family shifted to Islington, Learnington where he attended Mill Street Elementary School and Learington Secondary School. Here, his interest in the environmental studies was stimulated by his father.
  • // 1958
    He graduated in Biology in 1958, from Amherst College in Massachusetts where he became fascinated with the study of genetics, and completed his Ph.D. in Zoology from the University of Chicago, three years later.
  • // 1963
    He became a professor in the Genetics Department at the University of British Colombia in 1963. He devoted his career as an academician to genetic research using fruit flies as the model.
  • // 1970
    He began his television career with the children’s program, Suzuki on Science, in 1970. The initial episodes of the series echoed the host’s specialty of genetics but, the later ones encompassed other areas.
  • // 1974
    In 1974, he hosted on CBC AM radio, a programe called ‘Quirks & Quarks’. The show had the host interviewing scientists and a panel of scientists replying to listener’s questions.
  • // 1975 To 2000
    From 1975 till the end of the decade, he hosted a weekly television program called ‘Science Magazine’, which targeted the adult audience. There were interviews, science updates and segments like ‘How Things Work’.
  • // 1976
    David Suzuki was awarded the ‘Order of Canada’ in 1976. It is conferred in recognition to the highest degree of merit, talent and service, or an exceptional contribution to Canada and humanity.
  • // 1979
    Since 1979, he has been hosting ‘The Nature of Things’, a television series on CBC. The program intends to create awareness about the threats faced by wildlife, and benefits of renewable energy.
  • // 1985
    David Suzuki’s 1985 serial, ‘A planet for the Taking’, called for a major perceptual shift towards nature. Each of the episodes of this acclaimed series was watched by an estimated 1.8 million people per episodes.
  • // 1986
    He was awarded the UNESCO’s ‘Kalinga Prize’ for Popularization of Science in 1986. The award is given for exceptional skill in presenting scientific ideas to lay people.
  • // 1990
    In 1990, his book, ‘Genethics: The Clash between the New Genetics and Human Values’ was published to enlighten and educate a lay person on modern genetic technology and the many ethical issues involved.
  • // 1991
    He co-authored with Anita Gordon, ‘It’s a Matter of Survival’, which was published in 1991. The book makes a prediction of the condition of human society and environment 50 years on and suggests ways improve it.
  • // 1991
    ‘The David Suzuki Foundation’, headquartered in Vancouver, Canada is a nonprofit organization founded by him in 1991 to work for balancing human needs with the earth’s ability to sustain life.
  • // 1995
    In 1995, he was honored with the ‘Order of British Columbia’, a civilian honor of merit in the province of British Columbia intended to honor its residents for conspicuous achievements in any field.
  • // 1997
    He produced the documentary, ‘Yellowstone to Yukon: The Wildlands Project’, in 1997, for the Discovery Channel, based on conservationist Dave Foreman’s project about creating buffer zones around large wild reserves to preserve biological diversity.
  • // 2004
    In 2004, he was voted as the ‘Fifth Greatest Canadian’, from a list of ten finalists, by viewers in the television series ‘The Greatest Canadian’ by the ‘Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’.
  • // 2006
    ‘David Suzuki: The Autobiography’, published in 2006, traces his life from childhood to his current celebrity status. It was No. 1 on Maclean's list of non-fiction bestsellers in Canada for four weeks.
  • // 2007
    ‘The Sacred Balance’, written by him in 2007, stresses the dependence of human beings upon the planet’s natural resources. A series of documentary films were also made based on the book.
  • // 2007
    ‘Global Exchange’, an advocacy group based in San Francisco, awarded him the ‘International Human Rights Award’ in 2007, as part of its mission to promote human rights and environmental justice.
  • // 2009
    In 2009, he was awarded the ‘Honorary Right Livelihood Award’, also referred to as the ‘Alternative Nobel Prize’ for working on practical and exemplary solutions to the most urgent challenges facing the world.

// Famous Amherst College

Joseph E. Stiglitz

Joseph E. Stiglitz

Joseph E. Stiglitz is a Nobel Prize winning American economist. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and other facts related to his life.

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Dwight D. Eisenhower was the 34th president of the United States. This biography provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.

Dan Brown

Dan Brown

Dan Brown is one of the most acknowledged thriller fiction writers of the age, his book ‘The Da Vinci Code’ being one of the bestsellers. Check out this biography to know more about his life, childhood & timeline.

Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson was a well-known American poet. This biography profiles her childhood, family life, achievements, works and interesting facts.

Antonis Samaras

Antonis Samaras

Antonis Samaras is a Greek politician who served as Prime Minister of Greece from 2012 to 2015. This biography of Antonis Samaras provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.

Harold E. Varmus

Harold E. Varmus

Harold E. Varmus is an American scientist who won a share of the 1989 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. This biography of Harold E. Varmus provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.

David Suzuki's FAQ

  • What is David Suzuki birthday?

    David Suzuki was born at 1936-03-24

  • Where is David Suzuki's birth place?

    David Suzuki was born in Vancouver

  • What is David Suzuki nationalities?

    David Suzuki's nationalities is Canadian

  • Who is David Suzuki spouses?

    David Suzuki's spouses is Setsuko Joane Sunahara, Tara Elizabeth Cullis

  • Who is David Suzuki siblings?

    David Suzuki's siblings is Dawn, Geraldine, Marcia

  • Who is David Suzuki childrens?

    David Suzuki's childrens is Sarika Cullis-Suzuki, Severn Cullis-Suzuki

  • What was David Suzuki universities?

    David Suzuki studied at Amherst College,University Of Chicago, University of Chicago, Amherst College, London Central Secondary School

  • What was David Suzuki notable alumnis?

    David Suzuki's notable alumnis is Amherst College, University Of Chicago

  • Which company or organization was founded by David Suzuki?

    David Suzuki was the founder/co-founder of David Suzuki Foundation., Quirks and Quarks.

  • How tall is David Suzuki?

    David Suzuki's height is 162

  • Who is David Suzuki's father?

    David Suzuki's father is Kaoru Carr Suzuki

  • Who is David Suzuki's mother?

    David Suzuki's mother is Setsu Nakamura

  • What is David Suzuki's sun sign?

    David Suzuki is Aries

  • How famous is David Suzuki?

    David Suzuki is famouse as Academic, Enviromental Activist