Peter Unwin

Peter William Unwin (20 May 1932 – 24 January 2026) was a British writer and diplomat.

Life and career On 5 February 1955, as part of National Service, Unwin was commissioned into the Intelligence Corps, British Army, as a second lieutenant. On 25 September 1956, he was transferred to the Army Emergency Reserve of Officers. He was promoted to lieutenant on 18 November 1956. On 2 September 1956, Unwin had joined the Foreign Service as an Officer in Branch A.

He was Ambassador to Hungary from 1983 to 1986 and Ambassador to Denmark from 1986 to 1988. He served as Deputy Secretary General of the Commonwealth from 1989 to 1993. Having retired from the Diplomatic Service, he became an author and occasional contributor to The Times.

Unwin died on 24 January 2026, at the age of 93.

Works