Memorial: Rosemary Righter

A service of thanksgiving for the life of Rosemary Righter will take place at St Bride’s Church, the Journalists’ Church, on Thursday 31st October at 11:30am.

Born in Derbyshire, Righter read English at Girton College, Cambridge. Her journalism career began on Newsweek in Hong Kong, then she joined The Sunday Times, becoming development and diplomatic correspondent which spurred on her passion for international affairs. She was a member of a number of think tanks influencing Britain’s foreign policy.

In 1989 Righter became chief leader writer for The Times and then associate editor. Though a fierce critic of the United Nations, particularly Unesco, she stayed a committed internationalist. Times editor, Sir Peter Stothard, called her the paper’s “intellectual rock and conscience”. In retirement she lived in Italy and was characteristically scathing of its leader Berlusconi while loving the country.

Obituary

• The Times