Transcript of interview: Sir Michael Butler, 1997

File

Reference Code: GBR/0014/DOHP 25

Scope and Contents

From the Fonds:

The programme comprises transcripts of interviews with senior diplomats.

Dates

1997

Creator

Butler, Michael Dacres, Sir, 1927-2013 (Knight, diplomat) (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for consultation by researchers using Churchill Archives Centre, Churchill College, Cambridge.

Material in this collection is open to researchers unless otherwise marked in the catalogue.

Biographical / Historical

Michael Butler was born 27 February 1927, the son of T. D. Butler, of Almer, Blandford [Dorset], and Beryl May (née Lambert); he was educated at Winchester and Trinity College, Oxford. In 1951 he married Ann, daughter of the Right Honourable Lord Clyde.

Butler joined the Foreign Service in 1950, and during his career, served in: British Mission to the United Nations, New York [United States], 1952-56; Baghdad [Iraq], 1956-58; Foreign Office, 1958-61 and 1965-68; Paris [France], 1961-65; Counsellor, UK Mission in Geneva [Switzerland], 1968–70; Fellow, Center for Internat. Affairs, Harvard, 1970–71; Counsellor, Washington, 1971-72; Head of European Integration Department, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, 1972-74; Assistant Under-Secretary in charge of European Community Affairs, FCO, 1974-76; Deputy Under-Secretary of State, FCO, 1976-79; Ambassador and Permanent UK Representative to EC, Brussels [Belgium], 1979-85. Adviser, Government of Ukraine, 1991-94. Butler died on 24 December 2013.

He was awarded the GCMG in 1984 (KCMG 1980; CMG 1975).