George Staunton
Character Profile[edit]
Name: | George Staunton |
Date of Birth: | 1781 |
Service: | |
Rank: | Sir |
Nationality: | British |
Billets: |
Biography[edit]
As a character in Throne of Jade, Staunton advises Laurence regarding diplomatic relations with China. He often disagrees with Arthur Hammond, Laurence's official advisor.
Sir George Thomas Staunton (1781-1859) was the only surviving child of Sir George Leonard Staunton (1737-1801) whose first diplomatic missions were from 1781-1784, when he was secretary to George Macartney, First Earl Macartney, who was Governor of Madras. From 1792-1794, the senior Staunton was secretary in the first British mission that was sent to China, the Macartney Mission. George Thomas Staunton accompanied his father on this trip. During 1798-1817 he was writer, supercargo, member of the Select Committee, and, finally, chief of the East India Company's factory at Canton. From 1816-1817 the younger Staunton was a ranking member of Britain’s second mission to China. After 1817 he lived in England and was an M. P. during most of the period from 1818-1852.