Bill Forsyth (diplomat)

Summary

William Douglass Forsyth OBE (1909 – 3 March 1993) was an Australian public servant and diplomat.[1][2] Over the course of his tenure, he was noted for his work both within the United Nations, and in promoting Southern Pacific countries internationally. In 1959, Forsyth was appointed Australian Ambassador to Vietnam, a role which he served in until 1961.[3] During his appointment, he was also appointed Minister to Laos.[4]

Bill Forsyth OBE
Born
William Douglass Forsyth

1909
Died3 March 1993 (aged 84)
NationalityAustralian
Alma materUniversity of Melbourne (BA (Hons)
Occupation(s)Public servant, diplomat

Forsyth died on 3 March 1993, aged 84, in Canberra.[5]

Early life edit

Forsyth was born in Casterton, Victoria where he spent his childhood. He attended Ballarat High School, and after graduation obtained his degree in political science and history.[2]

References edit

  1. ^ Forsyth, William Douglass; Pratt, Mel. (Interviewer) (1972), Interview with Mr. William Douglass Forsyth, diplomat, retrieved 21 February 2016 {{citation}}: |author2= has generic name (help)
  2. ^ a b "Obituary: William Douglass Forsyth, OBE: A distinguished diplomat". The Canberra Times. ACT. p. 12.
  3. ^ "Ambassador to Vietnam appointed". The Canberra Times. ACT. 2 July 1959. p. 2.
  4. ^ "Appointed Minister to Laos". The Canberra Times. ACT. 2 October 1959. p. 20.
  5. ^ Gaind, Rama (29 May 1993). "Prime site near the lake". The Canberra Times. ACT.

Further reading edit

  • 'Forsyth, William Douglass (1909–1993)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/forsyth-william-douglass-27737/text35938
  • William Douglas Forsyth, The Myth of Open Spaces: Australian, British and World Trends of Population and Migration, MUP/OUP, Melbourne/London, 1942.
  • Chad J. Mitcham, 'Forsyth, William Douglass (1909–1993)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/forsyth-william-douglass-27737/text35421, published online 2018.
  • National Library of Australia, MS 5700: 'Papers of William Douglass Forsyth, 1875–1993'.
  • 'Obituary: WILLIAM DOUGLASS FORSYTH, OBE', The Canberra Times, 8 March 1993, p. 12, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/127200531.
  • South Pacific Commission. Meeting House of the Pacific: The Story of the SPC, 1947–2007, Nouméa, New Caledonia: SPC Secretariat, 2007.
Diplomatic posts
Preceded byas Acting Representative Permanent Representative of Australia to the United Nations
1951–1956
Succeeded by
Preceded byas Australian Minister to Vietnam and Laos Australian Ambassador to Vietnam
1959–1961
Succeeded by
Australian Minister to Laos
1959–1960
Succeeded by
Arthur Morris
Preceded by
D.J. Kingsmill
as Chargé d'affaires
Australian Ambassador to Lebanon
1967–1970
Succeeded by