Dr Hugh Richardson (1905-2000) - Dr Hugh Richardson OBE was a British diplomat who served in India and Tibet. He was the first European diplomatic representative to be permitted to reside in Lhasa, the Tibetan capital, where, against heavy odds, he succeeded in establishing close personal and professional ties.

He made himself unpopular with his former political masters by speaking out against the Chinese invasion of Tibet, in Britain and at the United Nations. When most of the world turned its back on the plight of Tibet, he was one of the very few who refused to let political expediency subvert the true nature of the tragedy taking place in the Himalayas.

He is considered to be a uniquely qualified scholar of Tibetan culture. He is the author of a number of books, including Tibet and Its History (1962), A Cultural History of Tibet (1968), and innumerable essays.

A member of Royal and Ancient Golf Club in his native St Andrews since 1946, he was a keen gardener and a popular member of St Andrews society.