Sir
Oliver Wright
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at right, in the Oval Office
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| British Ambassador to the United States | |
| In office 1982–1986 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Counterpart | Charles H. Price II John J. Louis Jr. |
| Preceded by | Sir Nicholas Henderson |
| Succeeded by | Sir Antony Acland |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1922-03-06)6 March 1922 Hammersmith |
| Died | 1 September 2009(2009-09-01) (aged 87) England |
| Spouse | Marjory Osborne |
| Alma mater | Solihull School Christ's College, Cambridge |
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Sir John Oliver Wright GCMG GCVO DSC (6 March 1922 – 1 September 2009) was a British diplomat.[1] He was British Ambassador to West Germany from 1975 to 1981 and British Ambassador to the United States from 1982 to 1986.
Wright was born on 6 March 1921 in Hammersmith, London, England. He was the younger son of Arthur Wright, a catering manager and hotelier, and his wife, Ethel Louisa Hicks, (née Shearod). The family moved from London to the West Midlands when Wright was very young.[2] He was educated at Solihull School, then an all-boys private schoolinSolihull, West Midlands.[3] He won a scholarship to Christ's College, Cambridge. There, he studied modern languages and specialised in German and French.[2] Following graduation, he joined the military for service during World War II.[4]
His studies were interrupted by World War II. He served in the Royal Naval Reserve (1941–45) and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. Following his service he took and passed the Foreign Office exam, thus was accepted to Her Majesty's Diplomatic Service.
In 1941, having completed his university degree, Wright joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve.[4]
Wright's career as a Diplomat was a highly distinguished one:
Having retired from the Diplomatic Service in 1981, he was elected MasterofChrist's College, Cambridge. He would have become the new Master in 1982, but was recalled to the Diplomatic Service to become British Ambassador to the United States and therefore never took up the appointment.[5]
On 1 January 1987, Wright was appointed King of Arms of the Order of St Michael and St George. This appointment is the herald, one of six officers, of the Order of St Michael and St George.[6] In July 1996, he was succeeded in the appointment by Sir Ewen Fergusson.[7]
On 1 December 1964, he was appointed a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) for his services as Private SecretarytoAlec Douglas-Home from 1960 to 1964.[8] On 26 May 1978, he was appointed Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO).[9] Knight Grand Cross is the highest grade within the Royal Victorian. He was appointed GCVO following the state visit undertaken by Queen Elizabeth II to West Germany between 22 and 26 May 1978.
| Diplomatic posts | ||
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| Preceded by | Principal Private Secretary to the Foreign Secretary 1963 |
Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | British Ambassador to Denmark 1966–1969 |
Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | British Ambassador to West Germany 1975–1981 |
Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | British Ambassador to the United States 1982–1986 |
Succeeded by |
| International |
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| National |
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| Other |
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