Nick Burns

Wellesley High School Author: Nick Burns (1974)

           In this time of unprecedented international tensions, the United States’ interests and future are represented in China by the U.S. Ambassador Nick Burns, WHS 1974. 

            Nick, who brings to this critical post 30 years of experience dealing with crises at the highest levels of the government, has gained bipartisan and multi-national respect for his intellect, depth of thought, calm diplomatic demeanor, clear focus, and lifelong pride in his membership in Red Sox Nation.  (When he was the spokesperson for the Department of State, he often started his briefings with an update on his beloved team’s scores.)

            Nick’s international experience began at WHS, when in his junior year he lived in Luxembourg as an American Field Service exchange student.  After graduating from Boston College (where he serves on the Board of Trustees), and gaining his master’s in international relations from Johns Hopkins, he entered the Foreign Service, and in his early career was stationed at embassies around the world. 

            Then he moved to the White House as a senior director on the National Security Council under President Clinton.  He became President George H.W. Bush’s NSC Director of Soviet (later Russian) affairs (where, coincidentally, he worked with fellow WHS grad Beth Hinchliffe, who while growing up had been a friend of his brother Chris).      Nick has been Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs (under Warren Christopher and Madeline Albright), Ambassador to Greece, Ambassador to NATO, and has held other prestigious positions and created a legacy of distinguished service.  He retired from the government to become Professor of the Practice of Diplomacy and International Relations at Harvard’s Kennedy School, and is currently on leave while serving in China. 

            Throughout his career, Nick has published hundreds of articles, op-ed pieces, and book chapters about foreign affairs (including a biweekly column in The Boston Globe), explaining in depth the background of current issues with the clarity of a professor and the insight of experience.  www.foreign affairs.com/authors/Nicholas-burns  Among his writings is the book Kissinger the Negotiator.

            Nick, who grew up on Shirley Road, keeps in touch with his Wellesley friends and teachers, and spoke at Jeanie Goddard’s Turn Out the Lights program to say goodbye to our old high school.