David Roberts (diplomat)

Sir David Arthur Roberts KBE CMG CVO (8 August 1924 – 7 June 1987) was a British diplomat who held several senior overseas posts during the latter half of the 20th century. Over the course of his career in the Diplomatic Service, he served as British ambassador to Lebanon, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates, and was High Commissioner to both Barbados and Sierra Leone. He was appointed KBE, CMG, and CVO.

Sir David Arthur Roberts KBE, CMG, CVO
High Commissioner to Barbados
In office 1971–1973
Preceded by	John S. Bennett[1]
Succeeded by	Charles Stuart Roberts
Ambassador to Syria
In office 1973–1976
High Commissioner to Sierra Leone
In office 1976–1977
Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates
In office 1977–1981
Ambassador to Lebanon
In office 1981–1983
Personal details
Born	(1924-08-08)8 August 1924 United Kingdom
Died	7 June 1987(1987-06-07) (aged 62) United Kingdom
Alma mater	Jesus College, Oxford
Occupation	Diplomat
Awards	KBE CMG CVO
Military service
Branch/service	Royal Armoured Corps
Years of service	1940s

Career

David Roberts was educated at Hereford Cathedral School and Jesus College, Oxford. After wartime service in the Royal Armoured Corps he joined the Diplomatic Service in 1947. He served in Baghdad, Tokyo, Alexandria, Khartoum, Dakar, Damascus and Dubai, with some intervening posts in London, before being appointed High Commissioner to Barbados in 1971. Roberts was Ambassador to Syria 1973–76; High Commissioner to Sierra Leone 1976–77; Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates 1977–81; and Ambassador to Lebanon 1981–83. He was knighted in the New Year Honours in 1983^[2] and was director-general of the Middle East Association 1983–85. In 1985 he was appointed an Honorary Fellow of the Centre for Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at Durham University.

Sir David was chairman of Herefordshire District Health Authority from 1986 until his death.

Publications

• The Ba'th and the Creation of Modern Syria, Palgrave, 1987. ISBN 0-312-06948-0