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Michael Alexander

1936 – 2002

British diplomat

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About Michael Alexander

Lived 1936 – 2002 (aged 65). Michael Alexander was a British fencer, diplomat and civil servant.

Sir Michael O'Donel Bjarne Alexander (19 June 1936 – 1 June 2002) was a British diplomat. He was the foreign policy secretary to Margaret Thatcher and the UK ambassador to NATO.

Alexander was the son of Hugh Alexander, the Anglo-Irish mathematician famed for his work at Bletchley Park. Michael spent much of his youth in his father's native Ireland. He was educated at Foyle College in Derry and, later, at St Paul's School, London, and King's College, Cambridge. He competed as a fencer for Great Britain at the 1960 Summer Olympics, winning a silver medal in the team épée event.

Alexander also served as Permanent Representative on the North Atlantic Council and Ambassador to Austria.

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
St Paul's School, King's College, Foyle and Londonderry College, Yale University
Positions held
Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Austria, Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to NATO, Private Secretary for Foreign Affairs to the Prime Minister
Employers
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Foreign Office
Awards
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George; Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George; Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George; Olympic silver medal
Also known as
Michael O'D. B. Alexander, Michael O'Donel Bjarne Alexander, Sir Michael Alexander

People in Michael Alexander's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Michael Alexander's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Michael Alexander?

British diplomat (1936-2002)

When was Michael Alexander born?

Michael Alexander was born on 19 June 1936 in Winchester.

When did Michael Alexander die?

Michael Alexander died on 1 June 2002 in City of London, Millfield Lane.

What was Michael Alexander's occupation?

Michael Alexander was a fencer, diplomat and civil servant.

What nationality was Michael Alexander?

Michael Alexander was British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Michael Alexander

· Wikidata: Q1926784

· DBpedia: Michael Alexander (diplomat)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Michael Alexander. https://biography.guide/michael-alexander-fencer/

MLA: "Michael Alexander." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/michael-alexander-fencer/.

Chicago: "Michael Alexander." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/michael-alexander-fencer/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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