Scottish by birth, English in schooling, Alastair Niven has plied a career as a writer, a lecturer and an administrator, including as director of literature at both the Arts Council and the British Council. He was president of English PEN during an era of change and has a special interest in Africa and the Commonwealth dating from university years. Public service led him finally to Cumberland Lodge in Windsor Great Park, where he directed a foundation for discussion of educational and ethical issues.