Thomas George Knox

Sir Thomas George Knox, KCMG (1824–1887) was an Irish soldier and a diplomat, serving as consul-general in Siam from 1868 to 1879. Life He was the eldest surviving son of James Spencer Knox, D.D. (1789–1862), rector of Maghera, County Londonderry, and his wife Clara, daughter of the Right Hon. John Beresford, and was grandson of William Knox, bishop of Derry. On 17 April 1840, he was appointed ensign of the 65th Foot and, on 7 October 1842, was promoted to a lieutenancy in the 98th Foot. After serving with the 98th Foot in China and India, Knox sold out in December 1848. He subsequently served with the Siamese Army from 1851 to 1857. Siam was under Mongkut, who was opening the country to the West, and Knox functioned as a military adviser. He began by training the troops of Pinklao, who ranked as Front Palace. Knox was appointed interpreter at the British Consulate in Bangkok on 7 July 1857. He was acting consul there from December 1859 to May 1860, and was appointed consul on 30 November 1864. He was promoted to be consul-general in Siam on 18 July 1868, and agent and consul-general in Siam on 8 February 1875.