Howard Smith (diplomat)
Sir Howard Frank Trayton Smith, GCMG (15 October 1919 – 7 May 1996) was a British diplomat.
Howard Smith GCMG | |
|---|---|
| Born | 15 October 1919 |
| Died | 7 May 1996 (aged 76) |
| Nationality | British |
| Alma mater | Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge |
| Occupation | Intelligence officer, Diplomat |
| Espionage activity | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom  |
| Service branch | MI5 |
| Service years | 1979–1981 |
| Rank | Director General of MI5 |
Career
Educated at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge,[1] Smith worked at Bletchley Park during World War II and later became the British ambassador to Moscow.[2] At college in Cambridge, Smith was a contemporary of Asa Briggs, playing chess with him and recommending Briggs to fellow Cambridge mathematician Gordon Welchman for service in Hut 6.[3]
In 1978 Smith was unexpectedly appointed Director General (DG) of MI5, the United Kingdom's internal security service, by Prime Minister James Callaghan, serving until 1981.[1]
References
- Obituary: Sir Howard Smith The Independent, 10 May 1996
- Derek Taunt, "Breaking German Naval Enigma", p. 111 in Action this Day, edited by Ralph Erskine and Michael Smith, 2001, ISBN 0-593-04982-9.
- Jones, Nigel (15 March 2016). "Asa Briggs obituary". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 15 March 2016.
| Government offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Sir Michael Hanley |
Director General of MI5 1978 – 1981 |
Succeeded by Sir John Jones |
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