Hugh Foot, Baron Caradon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lord Caradon
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| Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations | |
| In office 16 October 1964 – 19 June 1970 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Preceded by | Sir Patrick Dean |
| Succeeded by | Sir Colin Crowe |
| Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Foreign Affairs (1964–1968) |
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| In office 16 October 1964 – 19 June 1970 |
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| Prime Minister | Harold Wilson |
| Preceded by | The Earl of Dundee Peter Thomas |
| Succeeded by | Joseph Godber< Richard Wood |
| Member of the House of Lords Lord Temporal |
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| In office 27 October 1964 – 5 September 1990 Life Peerage |
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| Governor of Cyprus | |
| In office 3 December 1957 – 16 August 1960 |
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| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Prime Minister | Harold Macmillan |
| Preceded by | Sir John Harding |
| Succeeded by | Cyprus gained independence |
| Governor of Jamaica | |
| In office 7 April 1951 – 18 November 1957 |
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| Monarch | George VI Elizabeth II |
| Prime Minister | Sir Winston Churchill Sir Anthony Eden Harold Macmillan |
| Preceded by | Sir John Huggins |
| Succeeded by | Sir Kenneth Blackburne |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 8 October 1907 Plymouth, England |
| Died | 5 September 1990 (aged 82) Plymouth, England |
| Spouse |
Florence Sylvia Tod
(m. 1936; died 1985) |
| Children | Paul, Sarah, Oliver, and Benjamin |
| Parents | Isaac Foot Eva Mackintosh |
| Relatives | Sir Dingle Foot (brother) The Lord Foot (brother) Michael Foot (brother) John Foot (grandson) |
| Education | Leighton Park School |
| Alma mater | St John's College, Cambridge |
Hugh Mackintosh Foot, also known as Lord Caradon, was an important British diplomat and administrator. He was born on October 8, 1907, and passed away on September 5, 1990. He served as the UK's representative to the United Nations. He was also the last British governor of Cyprus before it became independent.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Hugh Mackintosh Foot was born in Plymouth, England, on October 8, 1907. He went to Leighton Park School in Reading, Berkshire. Later, he studied at St John's College, part of the University of Cambridge. He earned his degree in 1929.
While at Cambridge, he was the president of the Cambridge Union. This is a famous debating society. He also led the Cambridge University Liberal Club. His three brothers, Dingle, John, and Michael, were also involved in politics. They all studied at Oxford and became presidents of the Oxford Union.
A Career in Diplomacy
Hugh Foot had a long and successful career working for the British government overseas. He started in Mandatory Palestine, helping to manage the Nablus area. During World War II, he was a British Military Administrator in Cyrenaica. He also worked as the Colonial Secretary for Cyprus from 1943 to 1945.
After the war, he continued his work in different countries. He was the Colonial Secretary of Jamaica from 1945 to 1947. Then he became the Chief Secretary for Nigeria from 1947 to 1950. In 1951, he was appointed Governor of Jamaica, a role he held until 1957.
Governor of Cyprus
In 1957, Hugh Foot returned to Cyprus. He became the last British colonial Governor and Commander in Chief. He served in this role until 1960. That year, Cyprus became an independent country.
Working at the United Nations
In 1961, Foot became the British Ambassador to the United Nations Trusteeship Council. This council helped countries that were not yet independent. After the Labour Party won the 1964 election, he became a Minister of State for Foreign Affairs. He also served as the Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the United Nations from 1964 to 1970.
During his time at the UN, he worked on important negotiations. These talks involved four major powers and focused on the Middle East. After he retired, he became a visiting scholar at Harvard University and Princeton University.
Becoming Lord Caradon
In 1964, Hugh Foot was given a special title for life. He became Baron Caradon. This title is a life peerage, meaning he could sit in the House of Lords. The name "Caradon" comes from Caradon Hill in Cornwall, near his home. He joked that he was happy to change his last name from "Foot." He said it often led to jokes, like a telegram his father received: "Foot, congratulations on your feat!"
Awards and Recognition
Hugh Foot received several important awards for his service. He was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1939. He became a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in 1946. In 1951, he was made a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG). He also became a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO) in 1953. In 1957, he received the highest honor, becoming a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (GCMG).
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Family Life
Hugh Foot was one of four sons born to Isaac Foot, a Liberal Member of Parliament. His brothers were also well-known: Sir Dingle Foot, Lord Foot, and Michael Foot, who became a leader of the Labour Party. The family was very proud of their history. Caradon once wrote that they were "nonconformists and Roundheads," and that Oliver Cromwell was their hero.
Hugh Foot married Florence Sylvia Tod in 1936. She passed away in 1985. They had four children together:
- Paul Mackintosh Foot (1937–2004), who became a journalist.
- Sarah Dingle Foot (1939–2015), who was also a journalist.
- Oliver Isaac Foot (1946–2008), who worked for a charity called Project Orbis International.
- Benjamin Arthur Foot (born 1949).
Hugh Foot died in Plymouth on September 5, 1990, at the age of 82. His four children survived him.
