Sir Algernon Paul Sinker, KCMG, CB (13 April 1905 – 26 February 1977), commonly known as Paul Sinker, was an English civil servant and classicist. He studied at Jesus College, Cambridge, where he was elected to a fellowship in 1928. In 1940, he was made a temporary civil servant to contribute to the war effort, and was noted for his competency; convinced to stay in 1945, he left his fellowship and became a permanent member of HM Civil Service. From 1951 to 1954, he was First Civil Service Commissioner. He then served as Director-General of the British Council from 1954 to 1968 and chairman of the Council for Small Industries in Rural Areas from 1968 to 1976.[1] [2]