John Addis facts for kids
Sir John Addis (born June 11, 1914 – died July 31, 1983) was an important British diplomat. A diplomat is someone who represents their country in other nations, helping to build good relationships. Sir John worked as an ambassador, which is the highest-ranking diplomat, in countries like Laos, the Philippines, and China. He was also a passionate collector of beautiful Chinese porcelain from the Ming Dynasty, and he later gave his amazing collection to the British Museum.
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Sir John's Diplomatic Journey
Sir John Addis went to Rugby School and then Christ Church, Oxford University. After finishing his education, he joined the Foreign Office in 1938. The Foreign Office is the part of the British government that handles relationships with other countries.
Early Roles and Ambassador Posts
Sir John worked in different places, including Nanking and Peking (now known as Beijing) in China, before becoming an ambassador. His important roles included:
- Ambassador to Laos: From 1960 to 1962, he represented Britain in Laos, a country in Southeast Asia.
- Fellow at Harvard: In 1962 and 1963, he spent time as a fellow at the Harvard Center for International Affairs in the United States, studying global issues.
- Ambassador to the Philippines: From 1963 to 1970, he served as ambassador in the Philippines, an island nation in Southeast Asia.
- Instructor at Imperial Defence College: In 1970 and 1971, he shared his knowledge as an instructor at the Imperial Defence College, teaching about international relations.
- Ambassador to China: From 1972 to 1974, he was the ambassador to China, which was a very important role as relations between Britain and China were developing.
After Retirement
After retiring from his diplomatic career, Sir John continued to be involved in international studies. From 1975 to 1982, he was a Senior Research Fellow at Wolfson College, Oxford, focusing on modern Chinese studies. He also became a trustee of the British Museum, helping to guide one of the world's most famous museums.
Awards and His Amazing Gift
Sir John Addis received special awards for his excellent work. He was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in 1959 and later knighted as a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in 1973. These awards are given to people who have done great things for Britain, especially in foreign service.
One of his most remembered contributions was his incredible gift to the British Museum in 1975. He donated twenty-three pieces of very old and valuable Chinese porcelain. These pieces were not just beautiful; they were also chosen carefully to fill gaps in the museum's collection, making it even better.
Lawrence Smith, who was in charge of Oriental Antiquities at the British Museum, said that Sir John Addis would be remembered with great thanks and respect. He called Sir John's gift "one of the Museum's major benefactions this century," meaning it was one of the most important donations the museum received in that time.
