Sir Roger Makins

Roger Makins joined the Diplomatic Service in 1928 and developed a long association with Washington. His posts there included service as minister in the embassy from 1945 to 1947, before his later return as ambassador in 1953. Between those assignments he held senior Foreign Office responsibilities for economic affairs and worked on Britain’s response to the reconstruction of Europe. ^{1, 2}

In an interview for the Truman Library, Makins recalled being with Ernest Bevin when news arrived of George Marshall’s June 1947 speech offering American assistance for European recovery. He described the urgency of the British response, consultation with France, and the expectation that cooperation would initially proceed between national governments. ²

Makins also proposed scholarships for American students as a lasting British expression of gratitude for Marshall Aid. The scheme expanded from an initial proposal focused on Cambridge into a choice of British universities. As ambassador he managed its American arrangements, working with Oliver Franks and John Foster during the programme’s early years. The first scholars arrived in Britain in 1954. ³

The approach to Suez dominated the end of his embassy. Makins worked on the proposed Aswan High Dam loan and warned London that Washington opposed force against Nasser. In July 1956 he advised Dulles against announcing the withdrawal of American funding too bluntly. Eden nevertheless regarded him as too sympathetic to the American position. Makins left Washington in October, before the invasion of Egypt. Back at the Treasury, he helped address the resulting sterling crisis. ⁵

After Washington, Makins served as joint permanent secretary to the Treasury and chaired the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority. As Lord Sherfield he also chaired the Marshall Commission and was chancellor of the University of Reading from 1970 to 1992. The Marshall Sherfield Fellowships, first awarded in 1998, later commemorated him through support for American scientists and engineers conducting research in Britain. He died in 1996. ^{1, 4}