Topic: George Bailey

Sir George Bailey Sansom (November 28, 1883–March 8, 1965) was a historian of pre-modern Japan particularly noted for his historical surveys and attention to Japanese society.

Born in Kent and educated in France, he first served in Japan as an advisor and representative of the United Kingdom in 1904, and continued in similar positions for roughly 44 years hence. Knighted in 1935, he served as a member of the staff of the British consulate in Japan from 1939-1941. He was sent to Washington, D.C. and then to Singapore as war approached in 1941, and spoke with some of the top officials of the British Royal Navy the day before the sinking of the HMS Repulse and HMS Prince of Wales, events which mark the beginning of the Pacific War for the UK.

Sansom returned to Washington, D.C. and remained there throughout World War II.