Sir Laurence Barton Grafftey-Smith (16 April 1892 – 3 January 1989) was a British diplomat. He was a member of the British Consular Service from 1916 to 1947.[1]
His grandson was musician Toby Smith.
Early life
editBorn to parents Revd. Arthur Grafftey-Smith and Mabel Grafftey-Smith (née Barton), he was educated Clifton College, Repton School and Pembroke College, Cambridge.
Career
editHis posts included being the British High Commissioner in Karachi, Pakistan (1947–1949). During his tenure, “he warned Pakistani Foreign Minister Sir Zafarullah Khan that an upcoming visit to Moscow (by invitation) would be seen with mistrust by Americans and the British. Prime Minister of Pakistan Liaquat Ali Khan later cancelled the visit.” He was Consul-General to Madagascar, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at Jeddah (from 20 October 1945). He was appointed Knight Commander, Order of the British Empire (K.B.E.) and Knight Commander, Order of St. Michael and St. George (K.C.M.G.).[1][2] In 1970 he published his memoirs of his time in the Middle East, under the title Bright Levant (London, John Murray, 1970). His book includes interesting description of his friendship with King Abdul Aziz Ibn Sa'ud in the early days of his reign, before Saudi Arabia came into its oil wealth.
References
edit- ^ a b "Sir Laurence Barton Grafftey-Smith". National Portrait Gallery. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
- ^ Burke's Peerage, Baronetage and Knightage, 2003, vol. 3, p. 3160
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