Sir Roger Tomkys
Encyclopedia
Sir Roger Tomkys KCMG
, is a retired British diplomat, and former Master of Pembroke College
, at the University of Cambridge
.
He graduated from Balliol College, Oxford
in 1960.
Sir Roger learned Arabic at the Middle East Centre for Arabic Studies
in Lebanon, and immediately began his diplomatic career with a posting in Amman
, Jordan
, where he served from 1962-1964. He served as British Ambassador to Bahrain
(1981–1984), and Syria
(1984–1986), and as High Commissioner
in Nairobi
from 1990-1992.
Sir Roger served as Master of Pembroke College from 1992–2004; at Cambridge he also served as Chairman of the Centre of International Studies
, as well as the Centre for Middle East and Islamic Studies. He was also a Deputy-Vice-Chancellor. An avid golfer, Sir Roger continues to serve as President of the Cambridge University Golf Club
.
Sir Roger was knighted by the Queen in 1991.
Order of St Michael and St George
The Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George is an order of chivalry founded on 28 April 1818 by George, Prince Regent, later George IV of the United Kingdom, while he was acting as Prince Regent for his father, George III....
, is a retired British diplomat, and former Master of Pembroke College
Pembroke College, Cambridge
Pembroke College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England.The college has over seven hundred students and fellows, and is the third oldest college of the university. Physically, it is one of the university's larger colleges, with buildings from almost every century since its...
, at the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
.
He graduated from Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College , founded in 1263, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England but founded by a family with strong Scottish connections....
in 1960.
Sir Roger learned Arabic at the Middle East Centre for Arabic Studies
Middle East Centre for Arabic Studies
The Middle East Centre for Arabic Studies was an Arabic language college in Chemlane , in the Mount Lebanon Governorate of Lebanon. It was opened by the British Government in 1947...
in Lebanon, and immediately began his diplomatic career with a posting in Amman
Amman
Amman is the capital of Jordan. It is the country's political, cultural and commercial centre and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The Greater Amman area has a population of 2,842,629 as of 2010. The population of Amman is expected to jump from 2.8 million to almost...
, Jordan
Jordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
, where he served from 1962-1964. He served as British Ambassador to Bahrain
Bahrain
' , officially the Kingdom of Bahrain , is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. The population in 2010 stood at 1,214,705, including 235,108 non-nationals. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002.Bahrain is...
(1981–1984), and Syria
Syria
Syria , officially the Syrian Arab Republic , is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea to the West, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest....
(1984–1986), and as High Commissioner
High Commissioner
High Commissioner is the title of various high-ranking, special executive positions held by a commission of appointment.The English term is also used to render various equivalent titles in other languages.-Bilateral diplomacy:...
in Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
from 1990-1992.
Sir Roger served as Master of Pembroke College from 1992–2004; at Cambridge he also served as Chairman of the Centre of International Studies
Faculty of Politics, Psychology, Sociology and International Studies
The Faculty of Politics, Psychology, Sociology and International Studies at the University of Cambridge was created in January 2009 out of a merger of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences and the Centre of International Studies....
, as well as the Centre for Middle East and Islamic Studies. He was also a Deputy-Vice-Chancellor. An avid golfer, Sir Roger continues to serve as President of the Cambridge University Golf Club
Cambridge University Golf Club
The Cambridge University Golf Club is the golf club for the University of Cambridge, England. It comprises the Blues team, the second-team Stymies, and the Ladies team. The club was founded in 1875, and the first University Golf Match was played against Oxford in 1878...
.
Sir Roger was knighted by the Queen in 1991.