Politician. Born in Edinburgh, Boothby was educated at Eton and Oxford. He served as Member of Parliament for East Aberdeenshire (1924-58). Between 1926-29, he served as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Winston Churchill. Appointed to the Council of United Europe (1948), knighted (1953) and raised to the peerage (1958). In 1953, Boothby was one who called for a Royal Commission on the law relating to homosexual offences, and there has been speculation that Boothby was bisexual. He was married twice, but also had notable affairs with other women. It has also been suggested that he was close to the London gangsters the Kray twins.
Bob Boothby was a well-known and skilled commentator on public affairs.
He served as Rector of the University of St. Andrews (1958-61).
