Angus Fraser (civil servant)
Angus McKay Fraser KCB TD FSA (10 March 1928 – 27 May 2001) was a senior British Civil Servant politician and cabinet minister from 1979 until 1992, and a lifelong scholar of Gypsies, and of the author George Borrow.[2]
Sir Angus McKay Fraser | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Efficiency advisor to the prime minister | |
| In office 1988–1992 | |
| Preceded by | Robin Ibbs |
| Succeeded by | Peter Levene |
| Chairman of the Customs and Excise | |
| In office 1983–1987 | |
| First Civil Service Commissioner | |
| In office 1981–1983 | |
| Preceded by | Dr Fergus Allen |
| Succeeded by | Dennis Trevelyan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 8 March 1928 Maxwelltown, Dumfries |
| Died | 27 May 2001 (aged 73) Munich, Germany[1] |
| Spouse | Margaret Neilson 1955 – 1968, Gillian Fenwick 1991 – 9 November 1993, his death |
| Children | a son, Simon, and daughter, Caroline |
| Alma mater | University of Glasgow |
Early life
He was born at Dumfries, the son of a prison officer. He grew up in Falkirk, attending Falkirk High School where his interest in the life and writings of George Borrow was first kindled.[3] After school he studied modern languages at the University of Glasgow.[4]
After graduating he did Military Service in the Royal Artillery. He continued his association with the military as a member of the Territorial Army, receiving the Territorial Efficiency Decoration in 1966, at which time he held the rank of Major.[5]
Career
Fraser joined the Customs and Excise in 1952. His career tended to alternate between central Whitehall departments (Civil Service Department, The Treasury) and his own department. He rose to become Deputy Chairman of the Customs and Excise in 1978, followed by a Permanent Secretary position in the Civil Service Department (one of only 3 not Oxbridge educated at the time), and finally Chairman of the Customs and Excise.[4]
Shortly after retiring from the Customs and Excise Fraser was appointed Efficiency Advisor in the Cabinet Office in 1988, apparently after Margaret Thatcher asked about 'the man from Customs'.[3] He remained in post after Margaret Thatcher was succeeded by John Major, finally retiring in 1992.[6]
Later years
On his retirement from the Cabinet Office, Fraser largely devoted himself to his long-standing scholarly interests. Shortly after Fraser retired he published The Gypsies,[7] a succinct account based on decades of study. Short before leaving office he had founded the George Borrow Society. He remained President of the society until his death.
He also found time to advise politicians inexperienced in public administration, varying from the leaders of the African National Congress, to the British Labour Party of Tony Blair.
He is buried in an unmarked family grave (plot no.52026 behind Pawlak) on the eastern side of Highgate Cemetery, set back from the main path opposite the grave of Malcolm McLaren.
Honours
References
- "Sir Angus Fraser". The Independent. 17 June 2001. Archived from the original on 7 May 2022.
- Anthony Sampson (15 June 2001). "Sir Angus Fraser". The Guardian.
- "Sir Angus Fraser". The Daily Telegraph. 8 June 2001.
- "Fraser, Sir Angus (McKay), (10 March 1928 – 27 May 2001), Adviser to the Prime Minister on Efficiency and Effectiveness in Government, 1988–92". www.ukwhoswho.com. 2007. doi:10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.u16365. ISBN 978-0-19-954089-1. Retrieved 30 January 2019.
- "Sir Angus Fraser". Daily Telegraph. 7 June 2001. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
- Sampson, Anthony (15 June 2001). "Sir Angus Fraser". the Guardian. Retrieved 1 February 2018.
- Angus Fraser (23 February 1995). The Gypsies. Wiley. ISBN 978-0-631-19605-1.