Robin McLaren

Robin McLaren KCMG (1991 ) (* August 14, 1934, † 20 July 2010) was a British diplomat and sinologist.

Life

McLaren was educated at Ardingly College and at St John 's College (Cambridge). Until shortly before his death, he was on the board of Ardingly College, where the McLaren library is named after him. From 1953 to 1955 he was employed by the Royal Navy. On August 22, 1958, he joined the Foreign Service. From 1963 to 1964 he was private secretary to Edward Heath. From 1985 to 1987 he was ambassador in Manila. From April 1987 to 1989 he was a British representative in the Sino-British Joint Liaison Group. He played a decisive role in the negotiations for the handover of Hong Kong under the sovereignty of the People's Republic of China. From 1991 to 1994 he was ambassador in Beijing. during the turbulent tenure of Chris Patten as Governor of Hong Kong. Robin McLaren in 1964 married Susan Ellen Hatherly. They had two daughters and a son.