Arthur Snelling
Encyclopedia
Sir Arthur Wendell Snelling (b 7 May 1914, d 25 June 1996) was a senior British civil servant and diplomat.
He was educated at Ackworth School
, Yorkshire
, and University College, London.
He was Study Group Secretary at the Royal Institute of Internal Affairs, 1934–1936. He joined the Dominions Office in 1936, and became Private Secretary to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary in 1939. Snelling was Deputy High Commissioner for the UK in New Zealand, 1947–1950, and South Africa, May 1953–January 1956. He was Assistant Under-Secretary of State at the Commonwealth Relations Office, 1956–1959, and British High Commissioner in Ghana, 1959–1961. Snelling was Deputy Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
, 1961–1969, and Ambassador to South Africa, 1970–1973. He was Vice-President of the UK-South Africa Trade Association, 1974–1980.
Amongst friends and family he preferred the name Peter, using his birth name for public affairs and correspondence. He had suffered from, and been treated for, lung cancer but died of Emphysema
on 25 June 1996 at his home in Kingston Upon Thames. He is survived by his wife, Lady Frieda Snelling.
He was educated at Ackworth School
Ackworth School
Ackworth School is an independent school located in the village of High Ackworth, near Pontefract, West Yorkshire, England. It is one of eight Quaker Schools in England. The school is a member of the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference and SHMIS . The Head is Kathryn Bell, who succeeded...
, Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
, and University College, London.
He was Study Group Secretary at the Royal Institute of Internal Affairs, 1934–1936. He joined the Dominions Office in 1936, and became Private Secretary to the Parliamentary Under-Secretary in 1939. Snelling was Deputy High Commissioner for the UK in New Zealand, 1947–1950, and South Africa, May 1953–January 1956. He was Assistant Under-Secretary of State at the Commonwealth Relations Office, 1956–1959, and British High Commissioner in Ghana, 1959–1961. Snelling was Deputy Under-Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, commonly called the Foreign Office or the FCO is a British government department responsible for promoting the interests of the United Kingdom overseas, created in 1968 by merging the Foreign Office and the Commonwealth Office.The head of the FCO is the...
, 1961–1969, and Ambassador to South Africa, 1970–1973. He was Vice-President of the UK-South Africa Trade Association, 1974–1980.
Amongst friends and family he preferred the name Peter, using his birth name for public affairs and correspondence. He had suffered from, and been treated for, lung cancer but died of Emphysema
Emphysema
Emphysema is a long-term, progressive disease of the lungs that primarily causes shortness of breath. In people with emphysema, the tissues necessary to support the physical shape and function of the lungs are destroyed. It is included in a group of diseases called chronic obstructive pulmonary...
on 25 June 1996 at his home in Kingston Upon Thames. He is survived by his wife, Lady Frieda Snelling.
External links
- Cambridge University Janus Repository
- National Portrait Gallery Pictures of Sir Arthur Wendell Snelling
- Bechuanaland Colonial Administrators c.1884-c.1965
- Cape Fables Bookshop South Africa Africana Catalogue Q168 - Fables has references to Sir Arthur Snelling highlighting his role as UK Ambassador.