Politician. Born in Powis House, Aberdeen, Arbuthnot was the son of an army officer who died during the First World War. He was educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge. Serving in the Royal Artillery during World War II, he was awarded an MBE in 1944. He was elected as Conservative Member of Parliament for Dover in 1950 and served until 1964, when he was created Sir John Arbuthnot of Kittybrewster.
He had junior roles as Parliamentary Private Secretary for the Minister of Pensions (1952-55) and for the Minister of Health (1956-57). He also served as Commissioner for the Church of England and Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons.