Research topic: U Thant

U Thant , 1909-74, Burmese diplomat, secretary-general of the United Nations (1962-72). Educated at University College, Yangon, he later held positions in education, the press, and broadcasting. He was with the Burmese ministry of information (1949-57) and served as chairman of the Burmese delegation to the United Nations from 1947. In 1953 he was appointed Burma's permanent representative to the United Nations. Thant succeeded Dag Hammarskjöld as acting secretary-general of the United Nations in 1961 and was elected secretary-general in 1962. In the early years of his tenure,... Read more