Allan Taylor (diplomat)
Allan Taylor | |
|---|---|
| 9th Director-General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service | |
| In office 1 March 1998 – 28 February 2003 | |
| Prime Minister | John Howard |
| Preceded by | Rex Stevenson |
| Succeeded by | David Irvine |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 23 August 1941 Wynyard, Tasmania |
| Died | 19 July 2007 (aged 65) |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Spouse | Carol |
| Alma mater | University of Tasmania University of Oxford |
| Occupation | Diplomat |
Allan Robert Taylor AM (23 August 1941 – 19 June 2007) was an Australian diplomat, best known for his service as Director-General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service from 1998 to 2003.
Early life and education
[edit]Taylor was born in Wynyard, Tasmania, and spent his childhood in various Tasmanian towns before boarding at Launceston Church Grammar School. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Modern History from the University of Tasmania. He then studied as Tasmania's 1963 Rhodes scholar at the University of Oxford, where he received a Master of Arts in History in 1965. His studies led to an interest in diplomacy, and in 1966 he joined the Department of External Affairs, Australia's foreign service.[1]
Diplomatic career
[edit]Taylor's early postings were to Pakistan and Thailand. After a posting in Canberra, he was sent to Jakarta to serve as political counsellor for the Australian Embassy. His first posting as head of a consular station was as High Commissioner to Nigeria from 1983 to 1985. From 1989 to 1993, he was High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea. In 1994 he returned to Jakarta as Australian Ambassador to Indonesia.[2] Taylor was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 1995 for his "service to international relations".[3]
Australian Secret Intelligence Service
[edit]Taylor was Director-General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service from 1998 to 2003.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ Smith, Ric (13 July 2007). "Discreet, calm and wise: the markings of a perfect intelligence". The Australian. Retrieved 14 September 2011.
- ^ Downer, Alexander: Allan Taylor AM Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 20 June 2007.
- ^ "His Excellency Allan Robert TAYLOR". Australian Honours Search Facility, Dept of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
- ^ Farmer, Bill: Death of Ambassador Allan Taylor, AM, Australian Embassy to Indonesia, 21 June 2007.
| International | |
|---|---|
| People | |
- 1941 births
- 2007 deaths
- Directors-general of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service
- Members of the Order of Australia
- University of Tasmania alumni
- Australian Rhodes Scholars
- People from Wynyard, Tasmania
- Ambassadors of Australia to Indonesia
- High commissioners of Australia to Papua New Guinea
- High commissioners of Australia to Nigeria
- High commissioners of Australia to Ghana
- High commissioners of Australia to the Gambia
- High commissioners of Australia to Sierra Leone