Allan Taylor (diplomat)
Allan Robert Taylor AM (23 August 1941 – 19 June 2007) was an Australian diplomat, who is best known for his service as Director-General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service from 1998 to 2003.
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 | Allan Robert Taylor 23 August 1941 Wynyard, Tasmania, Australia |
Died | 19 July 2007 65) | (aged
Nationality | Australian |
Spouse(s) | Carol |
Alma mater | University of Tasmania University of Oxford |
Occupation | Diplomat |
Early life and education
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 Oxford, where he received an MA 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
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 Member of the Order of Australia in 1995 for "service to international relations".[3]
Australian Secret Intelligence Service
Taylor was Director-General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service from 1998 to 2003.[4]
References
- 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.
Diplomatic posts | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by H.C. Mott |
Australian High Commissioner to Nigeria 1983–1985 |
Succeeded by R.H. Wyndham |
Preceded by Lance Joseph |
Australian High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea 1989–1993 |
Succeeded by Bill Farmer |
Preceded by Philip Flood |
Australian Ambassador to Indonesia 1993–1996 |
Succeeded by John McCarthy |
Government offices | ||
Preceded by Rex Stevenson |
Director-General of the Australian Secret Intelligence Service 1998–2003 |
Succeeded by David Irvine |