EnglishClub ESL Forums

When quoting someone who said/wrote something while they held a position, e.g., President, Director, etc., but is no longer in that position, is it necessary to add 'Former' or 'Ex-'?
If yes, would that not give the impression that the quote was spoken/written at a time after they left the position and not while they were in an official capacity?
Is it ok to leave out 'Former'/'Ex-' if the quoted text is from a time during which they were in office?

If a person is now deceased, is it compulsory to add 'Late' before the name?

Adding "late" before a name is not compulsory but general etiquette for a period of time after death, certainly not forever.

For your other questions could you please give some examples that we could comment on.

Examples of possible scenarios:
1. "My fellow Americans, we are and always will be a nation of immigrants. We were strangers once, too.
- Barack Obama, President, USA or
- Barack Obama, Former President, USA

This is from a speech while he was president. If 'Former' is added, the reader may think that he has spoken this after his terms as president.

2. "I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat."
- Winston Churchill, Prime Minister, UK
- Winston Churchill, Former Prime Minister, UK
- Late Winston Churchill, (Former) Prime Minister, UK
This is from WC's address to his Cabinet on 13 May 1940

Whether you add Former Prime Minister or even Prime Minister really depends on context and how well-known the person is/was. And how much you expect your readers to know. Late is only used when the death was recent. If it's important, or not clear, it makes sense to specify the time and place as done in the above illustration.

It is not necessary, but common courtesy to preface a name with "late" following a person's passing.