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John Boyd

1936 – 2019

British ambassador to Japan, Chairman of Asia House and of the British Museum

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About John Boyd

Lived 1936 – 2019 (aged 83). John Boyd was a British diplomat.

Sir John Dixon Iklé Boyd (17 January 1936 – 18 October 2019) was a British ambassador and academic administrator. He was British ambassador to Japan from 1992 to 1996, and subsequently the Master of Churchill College, Cambridge from 1996 to 2006.

Early life and education Boyd was born on 17 January 1936 to James Dixon Boyd and Amélie ( Lowenthal). His father would go on to be became Professor of Anatomy at the University of Cambridge. He was educated at Westminster School, an all-boys public school in central London. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. He graduated with a Master of Arts (MA) degree in 1962.

Career Diplomatic career Boyd was a member of Her Majesty's Diplomatic Service from 1962 to 1996.

Other roles Boyd was Master of Churchill College, Cambridge from 1996 to 2006. He was Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the British Museum from 2002 to 2006.

Boyd served as Chairman of Asia House from 2010 to 2017.

Personal life In 1968, Boyd married Gunilla Rönngren, a Swedish diplomat.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Education
Clare College, Yale University, Clare College, Cambridge, Westminster School
Positions held
Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Japan
Employers
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Awards
Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
Also known as
Sir John Dixon Ikle Boyd

People in John Boyd's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped John Boyd's

Frequently asked questions

Who was John Boyd?

British ambassador to Japan, Chairman of Asia House and of the British Museum

When was John Boyd born?

John Boyd was born on 17 January 1936.

When did John Boyd die?

John Boyd died on 18 October 2019.

What was John Boyd's occupation?

John Boyd was a diplomat.

What nationality was John Boyd?

John Boyd was British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: John Boyd

· Wikidata: Q6222748

· DBpedia: John Boyd (diplomat)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Boyd. https://biography.guide/john-boyd-diplomat/

MLA: "John Boyd." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-boyd-diplomat/.

Chicago: "John Boyd." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-boyd-diplomat/.

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