About John McMillan
Lived 1914 – 1999 (aged 84–85). John McMillan was a diplomat.
John Mill McMillan (December 1914 – 25 November 1999) was an Australian public servant and diplomat.
During his career, he held several prominent diplomatic posts, including Australian Ambassador to Israel (1960–1963); Brazil (1965–1970); Turkey (1973–1976); and the Holy See (1974–1978) and High Commissioner to Ghana (1970–1973) and Malta (1976–1978).
Life and career McMillan, whose father was an employee at the Victorian Public Works Department, was educated at Mentone Grammar School and Melbourne Grammar School. He attended the University of Melbourne, living at Trinity College and in 1934 was awarded a Bachelor of Arts degree, with honours, having won the Wyselaskie Scholarship in Modern Languages that year also. He later completed a Master of Arts and while in Canberra he graduated with a Bachelor of Laws.
In 1937, McMillan joined the Department of External Affairs, appointed through the Melbourne University Appointments Board as a third secretary. His first posting, in 1941, was to the United States, working as third secretary to then Australian Ambassador to the United States Richard Casey. Colin Moodie was McMillan's best man. The day after his wedding McMillan and his new wife left Sydney for Karachi, for McMillan take up a posting as first secretary.
In October 1949, McMillan was appointed to a first secretary position in Paris, France. From 1951 to 1953 McMillan was Chargé d'affaires in Moscow.
McMillan served as Australian Ambassador to Israel from 1960 to 1963, returning to Canberra before a posting to Brazil from 1965 to 1970.
Between 1970 and 1973, McMillan was Australian High Commissioner to Ghana (1970–1973) and (1976–1978).
McMillan was Ambassador to Turkey, resident in Ankara, from 1973 to 1976. In 1974, during his Ankara posting, McMillan was additionally appointed Ambassador to the Holy See and began making period visits to the Vatican. In 1976, McMillan was appointed Australian High Commissioner to Malta. He retained his position as Ambassador to the Holy See, visiting from Malta.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in John McMillan's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped John McMillan's
Frequently asked questions
Who was John McMillan?
diplomat (1914-1999)
When was John McMillan born?
John McMillan was born in 1914.
When did John McMillan die?
John McMillan died on 25 November 1999.
What was John McMillan's occupation?
John McMillan was a diplomat.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: John McMillan (diplomat)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John McMillan. https://biography.guide/john-mcmillan-diplomat/
MLA: "John McMillan." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-mcmillan-diplomat/.
Chicago: "John McMillan." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-mcmillan-diplomat/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-22 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:08 UTC