Humphrey Trevelyan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lord Trevelyan
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1967 photograph, by Godfrey Argent
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| British Ambassador to the Soviet Union | |
| In office 1962–1965 |
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| Preceded by | Sir Frank Roberts |
| Succeeded by | Sir Geoffrey Harrison |
Humphrey Trevelyan, Baron Trevelyan (born November 27, 1905 – died February 9, 1985) was an important British official. He worked as a colonial administrator, a diplomat, and a writer. This means he helped manage countries that were part of the British Empire, represented Britain in other countries, and wrote books about his experiences.
He started his career in India, working for the British government there. After India became independent in 1947, he joined the British Diplomatic Service. This is the group of people who represent the UK in other countries around the world. He had a very successful career, holding many important jobs as an ambassador.
A Life of Service
Humphrey Trevelyan was born in Hindhead, England. He went to Lancing College and then to Jesus College, Cambridge, where he studied ancient Greek and Roman history and literature.
In 1929, he began working in India for the British government. He stayed there until India gained its independence in 1947. After that, he became a diplomat.
He held many key diplomatic roles:
- He was a top diplomat in Beijing, China, after the Chinese Revolution.
- He served as the ambassador to Egypt during a big event called the Suez Crisis. This was a time when Britain and France were involved in a conflict over the Suez Canal.
- He was the ambassador to Iraq when Iraq tried to take over Kuwait in 1961.
- He also served as the ambassador to the Soviet Union.
When he was planning to retire in 1965, he was offered a very high position in the Foreign Office. However, he turned it down so that a younger person could have the opportunity.
He finished his forty years of public service as the last High Commissioner of Aden. Aden was a British protectorate in the Middle East. He was asked to come out of retirement to help Britain leave Aden and oversee the end of British rule there.
Trevelyan wrote several books about his career. These included The India We Left and The Middle East in Revolution.
In 1968, he was given the special title of Baron Trevelyan. This made him a "life peer," which meant he could sit in the House of Lords, a part of the British Parliament, for the rest of his life.
He was married to Violet Margaret Bartholomew and they had two daughters.
Images for kids
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The Coat of Arms of Humphrey Trevelyan.
