Walter Carrington

Graduate of Everett High, Harvard and Harvard Law

By Michael Matarazzo
Everett Historian, Retired Everett City Clerk

Walter Carrington’s impressive career began as vice-president of his class at the Parlin Junior High, an office that he continued to hold during his three years at Everett High School. While his educational resume as a student at Harvard and Harvard Law School, as well as a lecturer and director at Marquette, MIT and Howard University is impressive, it is his time as Ambassador to Nigeria that distinguished him as a champion of freedom.  

In 1959, Carrington visited Nigeria as part of an international student program and was impressed with the country and in particular the University of Ibadan. Carrington saw great promise for the country, but when he returned in 1993 as President Clinton’s Ambassador to Nigeria what he saw was not only a university but also a country in shambles.

Democratic elections had been recently annulled by the military and a pro-military leader was installed. Pro-democracy groups and the military government clashed and there was civil unrest throughout the nation. Instead of poising himself above the fray, Ambassador Carrington took an activist role for democracy. He spoke out against oppression and identified with the people of Nigeria and their desire to determine the future of their nation through free elections. He met with the opposition and openly spoke against the military regime, which is contradictory to the role usually played by diplomats.

The people of Nigeria possess an affection and admiration for Walter Carrington to this day. His courage, commitment and dedication to the Nigerian people and their struggle will not soon be forgotten.

In 2004 Carrington was named Warburg Professor of International Relations at Simmons College in Boston. Mr. Carrington passed away in August of 2020.