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John Stewart Black (1865 – 12 April 1930) was a British barrister, judge and diplomat in Siam.
John Stewart Black | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1865 Scotland |
| Died | 12 April 1930 |
| Alma mater | University of St Andrews |
| Occupation(s) | Barrister, judge and diplomat |
| Children | 1 daughter |
Early life and education
editBlack was born in 1865 in Scotland. He was educated at Linlithgow Burgh School, West Lothian, and University of St Andrew's. He was called to the Bar of the Inner Temple in 1902.[1][2][3]
Career
editBlack joined the Consular Service and went to Siam as a Student Interpreter in 1888, being appointed Assistant in 1893, and promoted to First Assistant three years later. He was appointed Vice-Consul at Bangkok in 1897, and Acting Consul and Judge of the British Consular Court at Bangkok in 1901. In 1902, he resigned from Consular Service to become Judicial Adviser to the Ministry of Justice of Siam (1902–1910), and the same year was appointed as Judge of the Supreme Court of Appeal, Bangkok, and Judicial Commissioner for the Provinces.[3][4] He assisted in drawing up a new Penal Code,[5] and later assisted in negotiating the Anglo-Siamese Treaty (1909) for which he was mentioned in despatches.[1][2]
In 1914, after he left Siam, he settled in Wrotham, Kent where he was head of the special police.[6] During the First World War, he worked at the Ministry of Munitions (1917), and was Assistant Director (Rationing Branch) Ministry of Food (1918).[1]
Personal life and death
editBlack married Edith Moore in 1898 and they had one daughter.[1][7] Black was a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, and contributed several papers to its journal about Siam.[8] He died on 12 April 1930.[1]
Honours
editBlack was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the White Elephant in 1909.[9]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Various (1848). Who Was Who Vol 3 1929-1940. Internet Archive. Adam & Charles Black. p. 118.
- ^ a b Wright, Arnold; Breakspear, Oliver T. (1908). Twentieth century impressions of Siam: its history, people, commerce, industries, and resources. University of California Libraries. London [etc.] Lloyds Greater Britain Publishing Company, Ltd. p. 99.
- ^ a b "Untitled". The Straits Times. 13 October 1902. p. 5.
- ^ "Untitled". The Straits Times. 15 October 1902. p. 4.
- ^ "Untitled". Pinang Gazette and Straits Chronicle. 25 June 1908. p. 4.
- ^ "M.A.P." The Straits Echo. 3 December 1914. p. 1650.
- ^ "Untitled". The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser. 14 September 1897. p. 13.
- ^ "A Journey Round Siam". The Singapore Free Press and Mercantile Advertiser. 26 May 1896. p. 15.
- ^ "Social and Personal". Pinang Gazette and Straits Chronicle. 1 July 1909. p. 4.