Nicholas Henderson was born in London, 1 April 1919. The son of Hubert Henderson, later professor of Political Economy at Oxford and Warden of All Souls College, Oxford; educated at Stowe school, Hertford College, Oxford (Honorary Fellow 1975, Honorary Degree Dr. of Civil Law 1987). Member of the Diplomatic Service 1946-79; served in Chanceries in the USA, Greece, Austria and Chile; Private Secretary to Foreign Secretary 1963-65; Minister in Spain 1965-69; Ambassador to Poland 1969-72, Germany 1972-75, and France 1975-79 and was Ambassador to Washington after retirement 1979-82. Chairman Channel Tunnel Group 1985-86. Trustee of the National Gallery 1985-89. Lord Warden of the Stannaries of the Duchy of Cornwall and vice-chairman of the Prince of Wales' council 1985-90. Former or present director of a number of companies including Hambros, Tarmac, Sotheby's and Foreign and Colonial Investment Trust. In 1951 he married Mary Barber, nee Cawadias. They live in London.