Sir John Campbell Moberly

Sir John Campbell Moberly (27 May 1925 – 14 September 2004) was a British diplomat who served as ambassador to Jordan from 1975 to 1979 and ambassador to Iraq from 1982 to 1985.

Early life and family

Moberly was born on 27 May 1925 in Exmouth, Devon. His father was the academic Sir Walter Hamilton Moberly, who was principal of University College of the South West of England when he was born. Moberly was educated at Winchester College, where his great grandfather George Moberly had been principal.

Career

Moberly served in the Royal Navy during World War II and was mentioned in despatches for his bravery during the Adriatic campaign. After the war, he enrolled at Magdalen College, Oxford to read history. In 1957, he was promoted to first secretary, and two years later, transferred to Qatar as political agent. From 1969 to 1973, he was posted at Washington as counsellor. After spending two years as director of MECAS, in 1975, he was appointed ambassador to Jordan, a post he held until 1979. According to The Times, "During his years in Amman Moberly completed the process of making himself one of the Foreign Office's principal experts on the Arab world." He was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE) in the 1984 Birthday Honours.

Personal life and death

In 1959, Moberly married Patience Proby (known as Lady Patience Moberly following her husband's knighthood) and they had two sons and a daughter. Sir Moberly himself later served as the chair of Medical Aid for Palestinians.

Moberly died on 14 September 2004, aged 79.