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Date(s)
- 18th Jan 1836 (Creation)
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Name of creator
Biographical history
Sir George Thomas Staunton was born near Salisbury, the son of the diplomat, George Leonard Staunton. Aged 12, George Thomas accompanied his father on the Macartney Embassy to China, and his Chinese language ability was sufficient for conversation. In 1798 was appointed a writer in the British East India Company's factory at Canton (Guangzhou), and subsequently its chief. He continued to study Chinese and in 1805 he translated a work of Dr George Pearson into Chinese, followed, five years later, by an English translation of a significant part of the Chinese legal code.
In 1816 Staunton was second commissioner on a special mission to Beijing with Lord Amherst and Sir Henry Ellis. The embassy was unsuccessful and shortly after it departed back to Britain Staunton decided to leave China permanently. In England he bought the Leigh estate in 1820 and constructed a new home. Staunton was a founder member of the Royal Asiatic Society and donated many items to its Collections.
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Letter to the Royal Asiatic Society to deposit the "original Credentials to the Emperor of Japan and the King of Cochinchina; and which are authenticated under the Great Seal of Englan , and the sign manual of King George the Third". These credentials should have been given to the respective officials on the Macartney Embassy in which Sir George Leonard Staunton was involved. The letter is incomplete and sent by a son (presumably Sir George Staunton), dated January 18th 1836. Handwritten, 1 piece 2 sides. Donation is recorded in the Donations Register under 6th February,1836.
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Language of material
- English