DOWNING, GEORGE [SSNE 4888]

Surname

DOWNING

First name

GEORGE

Title/rank

SIR

Nationality

ENGLISH

Social status

RESIDENT

Text source

Sir George Downing served several times as an envoy, first on behalf of the English protectorate in 1655 to Switzerland, and then from 1657-60 to the Dutch Republic. He subsequently served on behalf of the Stuart Kingdoms from 1660-65 and from 1671-2 to the Dutch Republic and Brandenburg-Prussia. Constantijn Hugens made reference to him as the "English resident" in a letter to princess Amalia of Orange dated 17 April 1664

L. Bittner and L. Gross, Reportorium der diplomatischen vertreter aller lander, vol. 1, 1648-1715 (Oldenburg and Berlin, 1936), p.180; G.M. Bell, 'A Handlist of Diplomatic representatives 1509-1688' (London, 1990), p.201 and 282; J.A. Worp, De Briefwisseling van Constantijn Hugens (1608-1687), ('S Gravenhage, 1917), VI, p.54.

Service record

ENGLAND, SWITZERLAND

Arrived 1655-07-28

Departed 1655-10-25

Capacity AMBASSADOR, purpose DIPLOMACY

ENGLAND, THE DUTCH REPUBLIC

Arrived 1657-12-18

Departed 1660-06-01

Capacity ENVOY EXTRAORDINARY, purpose DIPLOMACY

STUART KINGDOMS, THE DUTCH REPUBLIC

Arrived 1660-06-30

Departed 1665-09-01

Capacity ENVOY EXRAORDINARY, purpose DIPLOMACY

 

Arrived 1671-12-01

Departed 1672-02-07

Capacity AMBASSADOR EX., purpose DIPLOMACY

STUART KINGDOMS, BERLIN, BRANDENBURG-PRUSSIA, BERLIN

Departed 1661-12-31

Capacity ENVOY, purpose DIPLOMACY