Ambassador to the United States
What position did Peter Ramsbotham take in Nov 1974?
Peter Ramsbotham Peter Edward Ramsbotham , 3rd Viscount Soulbury ( 8 October 1919 – 9 April 2010 ) was a British diplomat and colonial administrator . Early life . Born in London , Ramsbotham was the younger son of Herwald Ramsbotham , later the 1st Viscount Soulbury . He was educated at Eton College and at Magdalen College , Oxford . At Oxford he contracted polio in 1938 , which left him with a slightly shorter right leg . World War II . He was already working for MI5 as a civilian when he joined the army on the outbreak of the Second World War . In April 1941 , Ramsbotham was working in B3 Division of MI5 ( Communications ) with the task of studying the activities of foreign journalists in the UK . In July he was with B3A ( Censorship ) before moving to E3 ( Alien Control – USA citizens in the UK and other territories ) . By 1943 he was with E2 Division dealing with nationals from the Baltic states , the Balkans and Central Europe . In June 1943 , he left MI5 and was later commissioned into the Intelligence Corps on 9 June 1944 . As a fluent speaker in French , he continued to work with MI5 on the Continent as a member of 106 Special Counter Intelligence Unit ( SCIU ) , running double agents and acting as a liaison officer to the counter-espionage section of the French Intelligence Service . He also reported to the 212 Committee , the Allied equivalent of MI5s XX Committee ( Double Cross Committee ) . At the close of hostilities , he was employed in the Political Division of the Control Commissions for both Germany and Austria and served also in Hamburg and Berlin . In recognition of his exemplary service during the war , he received a Mention in Despatches in August 1945 and was awarded a Croix de Guerre on 1 March 1949 ( en bloc ) . Diplomatic Service . In 1948 , Ramsbotham joined the diplomatic service on the advice of his superior , Sir Christopher Steel . He failed the Foreign Office exam on his first attempt , due to poor mathematical skill , but passed six months later after some coaching . His first position was in the German Department of the Foreign Office in London . His posts included High Commissioner to Cyprus ( 1969–1971 ) Ambassador to Iran ( 1971–1974 ) and Ambassador to the United States ( 1974–1977 ) . He had a close relationship with Jimmy Carter , and was the first ambassador Carter invited to the White House . Ramsbotham was removed from his position as Ambassador to the United States by incoming Foreign Secretary David Owen . Owen controversially replaced him with Peter Jay , who was economics editor of The Times , the son-in-law of Prime Minister James Callaghan and Owens personal friend . Governor . Ramsbothams final posting was as Governor of Bermuda ( 1977–1980 ) . During his governorship , the two assassins of Sir Richard Sharples , the former governor , were hanged . The executions were followed by extensive rioting , as a result of which troops had to be sent to Bermuda to restore order . Honours and title . He was appointed Companion ( CMG ) of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1964 , promoted to Knight Commander ( KCMG ) in 1972 , becoming Sir Peter Ramsbotham , and promoted again to Knight Grand Cross ( GCMG ) in 1978 . In 1976 , he was appointed Knight Grand Cross ( GCVO ) of the Royal Victorian Order as well as Knight ( KStJ ) of the Venerable Order of St John of Jerusalem . He inherited the title of Viscount Soulbury from his elder brother in 2004 but continued to be known as Sir Peter Ramsbotham . Family . His first marriage was to Frances Marie Massie Blomfield . They were married on 30 August 1941 and their marriage ended with her death in 1982 . His second marriage was to Dr Zaida Mary Hall , née Megrah , in 1985 ( died 17 March 2013 ) . He died in New Alresford , Hampshire on 9 April 2010 . References . - Whos Who 2009 External links . - Cracrofts Peerage - Interview with Hon Sir Peter Ramsbotham & transcript , British Diplomatic Oral History Programme , Churchill College , Cambridge , 2001