[6] During World War II, he was Master of Birkbeck College (1939–1943)[8] and was also based at Reading Gaol, working for the Ministry of Food.

He was High Commissioner to the Union of South Africa from 1959 to 1961, and Ambassador from 1961, when the country became a republic and left the Commonwealth.

[12] During the course of the inquiry, Maud was chosen to head a Royal Commission on the reform of all local government in England.

He was awarded a life peerage, hyphenating his surname[13] to become Baron Redcliffe-Maud, of the City and County of Bristol in 1967.

Sir John intervened to curtail Humphrey's frequent visits to stay with Britten on his own.

[18] Redcliffe-Maud House at the University College Annexe known as "Stavertonia" in North Oxford is named in honour of him.