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William Taylour Thomson

1813 – 1883

British diplomat

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About William Taylour Thomson

Lived 1813 – 1883 (aged 69–70). William Taylour Thomson was a British diplomat.

Sir William Taylour Thomson (1813–1883) was a British military officer and diplomat.

Military career

He was a gifted military officer. When the British ship Tigris sank in the Euphrates river he was one of the survivors. In 1839 he participated in taking of Herat. He served in Iran in 1849 and 1853 to 1855.

Diplomatic career

He was the British chargé d'affaires to Persia between 1849 and 1855 and envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary between 1872 and 1879. He was succeeded by his younger brother Ronald Ferguson Thomson.

He retired to Edinburgh living at 27 Royal Terrace, an impressive Georgian townhouse on Calton Hill.

He died on 15 September 1883 and is buried in Warriston Cemetery in an unusual double sarcophagus next to his wife. The grave lies on the north side of a main diagonal path just south of the vaults.

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Important facts

Born
1813
Birth century
Occupation
Positions held
Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Persia, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Chile
Employers
Foreign Office
Awards
Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George
Also known as
Sir William Taylour Thomson

People in William Taylour Thomson's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped William Taylour Thomson's

Frequently asked questions

Who was William Taylour Thomson?

British diplomat

When was William Taylour Thomson born?

William Taylour Thomson was born in 1813.

When did William Taylour Thomson die?

William Taylour Thomson died on 15 September 1883.

What was William Taylour Thomson's occupation?

William Taylour Thomson was a diplomat.

What nationality was William Taylour Thomson?

William Taylour Thomson was British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: William Taylour Thomson

· Wikidata: Q1582207

· DBpedia: William Taylour Thomson

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). William Taylour Thomson. https://biography.guide/william-taylour-thomson/

MLA: "William Taylour Thomson." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/william-taylour-thomson/.

Chicago: "William Taylour Thomson." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/william-taylour-thomson/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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