John Adye
British cryptographer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sir John Anthony Adye KCMG (born 24 October 1939) is a former Director of the British signals intelligence agency, GCHQ, a post he held from 1989 to 1996.[1]
Sir John Adye | |
|---|---|
| Born | 24 October 1939, |
| Alma mater | Lincoln College, Oxford |
| Occupation | Intelligence officer |
| Spouse(s) | Lady Anne Adye (m, 1961) |
Career
Adye was born to Arthur Francis Capel Adye and Hilda Marjorie (née Elkes). Adye was educated at Leighton Park School and Lincoln College, Oxford, receiving a degree in Mods and Greats. [2] Adye joined GCHQ in 1962, becoming Director in 1989. As Director, Adye oversaw GCHQ`s response to the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War.[3] After retiring from GCHQ in 1996, he served as the chair of the Country Houses Association until 2002.[4] In 1993 Adye was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George.[1] In 2005 he was appointed to the board of the US National Biometric Security Project.[4]
Adye was a witness in February 2008 at the inquest into the death of Diana, Princess of Wales: in an unprecedented move (normal policy is neither to confirm nor deny operational activities), he strenuously denied that GCHQ had any involvement in either the Camillagate or Squidgygate tapes.[5]
