James Bottomley (diplomat)
Encyclopedia
Sir James Reginald Alfred Bottomley, KCMG (Born 12 January 1920) is a retired British diplomat.
He was educated at King's College School
and Trinity College, Cambridge
; he was chairman of debates in the Cambridge Union Society
in 1940, closing the debates to prevent proctoral censorship. In World War II
he served in the Inns of Court Regiment
, RAC
, 1940-46 and was seriously wounded in Normandy
in August 1944.
He joined the Dominions Office in 1946, which became the Commonwealth Relations Office, and then the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
, serving in London, Pretoria (1948-50), Karachi (1953-55), Washington and the UN in New York(1955-59) and Kuala Lumpur (1963-67). He was British Ambassador to South Africa 1973-1976, and Permanent UK Representative to the UN and other international Organisations at Geneva 1976-78, at which point he retired from diplomatic service
. Director Johnson Matthey
plc, 1979–85. Member, British Overseas Trade Board, 1972
He was appointed CMG
in 1965, and KCMG
in 1973.
He was the son of Sir (William) Cecil Bottomley, one time Senior Crown Agent, and Alice Bottomley, one time lecturer at the London school of Economics, daughter of Sir Richard Robinson. He married Barbara Vardon; they had two daughters and three sons, one of whom died young. The survivors became involved in computing, politics, teaching and statistics. The Conservative MP Sir Peter Bottomley
is his son.
He was educated at King's College School
King's College School
King's College School, commonly referred to as KCS, King's, or KCS Wimbledon, is an independent school for day pupils in Wimbledon in south-west London. The school was founded as the junior department of King's College London and occupied part of its premises in Strand, before relocating to...
and Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
; he was chairman of debates in the Cambridge Union Society
Cambridge Union Society
The Cambridge Union Society, commonly referred to as simply "the Cambridge Union" or "the Union," is a debating society in Cambridge, England and is the largest society at the University of Cambridge. Since its founding in 1815, the Union has developed a worldwide reputation as a noted symbol of...
in 1940, closing the debates to prevent proctoral censorship. In World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
he served in the Inns of Court Regiment
Inns of Court Regiment
The Inns of Court Regiment was a British Army regiment which existed under that name between May 1932 and May 1961. However, the unit traces its lineage back much further, to at least 1584, and its name lives on within The Inns of Court & City and Essex Yeomanry .-History:The first organised...
, RAC
Royal Armoured Corps
The Royal Armoured Corps is currently a collection of ten regular regiments, mostly converted from old horse cavalry regiments, and four Yeomanry regiments of the Territorial Army...
, 1940-46 and was seriously wounded in Normandy
Normandy
Normandy is a geographical region corresponding to the former Duchy of Normandy. It is in France.The continental territory covers 30,627 km² and forms the preponderant part of Normandy and roughly 5% of the territory of France. It is divided for administrative purposes into two régions:...
in August 1944.
He joined the Dominions Office in 1946, which became the Commonwealth Relations Office, and then the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, commonly called the Foreign Office or the FCO is a British government department responsible for promoting the interests of the United Kingdom overseas, created in 1968 by merging the Foreign Office and the Commonwealth Office.The head of the FCO is the...
, serving in London, Pretoria (1948-50), Karachi (1953-55), Washington and the UN in New York(1955-59) and Kuala Lumpur (1963-67). He was British Ambassador to South Africa 1973-1976, and Permanent UK Representative to the UN and other international Organisations at Geneva 1976-78, at which point he retired from diplomatic service
Diplomatic service
Diplomatic service is the body of diplomats and foreign policy officers maintained by the government of a country to communicate with the governments of other countries. Diplomatic personnel enjoy diplomatic immunity when they are accredited to other countries...
. Director Johnson Matthey
Johnson Matthey
Johnson Matthey plc is multinational chemicals and precious metals company headquartered in London, United Kingdom.It is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.-History:...
plc, 1979–85. Member, British Overseas Trade Board, 1972
He was appointed CMG
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
in 1965, and KCMG
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
in 1973.
He was the son of Sir (William) Cecil Bottomley, one time Senior Crown Agent, and Alice Bottomley, one time lecturer at the London school of Economics, daughter of Sir Richard Robinson. He married Barbara Vardon; they had two daughters and three sons, one of whom died young. The survivors became involved in computing, politics, teaching and statistics. The Conservative MP Sir Peter Bottomley
Peter Bottomley
Sir Peter James Bottomley is a British Conservative Party politician. He is the Member of Parliament for Worthing West...
is his son.
Reflist
- Who's WhoWho's Who (UK)Who's Who is an annual British publication of biographies which vary in length of about 30,000 living notable Britons.-History:...
2008