Thomas Colley Grattan (1792–1864)

Writer and statesman. Began his career as a writer after settling in Bordeaux. His High-ways and by-ways (1823) made his name both in England and on the Continent. Resided for some time in Belgium and, partly owing to the patronage of King Leopold, was appointed British consul to the state of Massachusetts in 1839. After a successful period in office, he resigned the consulship in 1846 and returned to England where he resumed his literary work.