Sir John Francis Davis (1795 - 1890) was a British diplomat and writer on China.
John Davis was appointed writer in East India Company's factory at Canton in 1813. Because of his linguistic abilities, he was chosen to accompany Lord Amherst on his embassy to Peking in 1816. On the return of the mission Davis again took up his duties in the factory at Canton, and was promoted to be president in 1832. He was appointed the joint commissioner in China with Lord Napier in 1834. He became British plenipotentiary and chief superintendent of British trade in China, and governor and commander-in-chief at the colony of Hong Kong from 1844 to 1848.
He was made a baronet in 1845 and was named a K.C.B. in 1854. He received a degree of D.C.L. from the Oxford University in 1876.
He published works on China, including The Chinese : a general description of the empire of China and its inhabitants, China, during the war and since the peace, etc.
See also
| Preceded by: Sir Henry Pottinger |
Governor of Hong Kong 1844-1848 |
Followed by: Sir Samuel George Bonham |