George Clayton Foulk was an American naval officer, diplomat. He served as naval attachee to the first United States legation sent to Korea in 1883 and was charge d'affaires in Seoul from 1885 until 1887.
Background
George Clayton Foulk was born on October 30, 1856 in Marietta, Pennsylvania. He was the third son of Clayton and Caroline (Rudisill) Foulk. His paternal ancestors were largely of English stock, with a mixture of Swedish, and had lived in Delaware since early in the eighteenth century. His mother’s family were of German descent.
Education
In 1872 Foulk was appointed to the United States Naval Academy, and was graduated in 1876, third in his class.
Career
After the graduation from the United States Naval Academy in 1876, George Foulk immediately went on Asiatic station, where he served during two cruises, and attracted the favorable attention of his commanding officers by reason of his studious habits and of his knowledge and execution of his duties. During the summer of 1882 he and two other young naval officers crossed little-known Siberia into Russia, and made a valuable report on that country to their government.
On his return to America Foulk received his ensign’s commission as of November 25, 1877, and took a post in the naval library.
In May 1883 the first American minister to Korea, General Lucius H. Foote, took up his residence in that country. In September the first Korean Mission to a Western nation arrived in Washington. When they returned to Korea on board the Trenton, Foulk was detailed as naval attaché to the American legation in Korea, and accompanied the Mission on the voyage. Gen. Foote had created an excellent impression at the Korean Court; the United States was in high favor as being a disinterested, friendly power; and Foulk was well received. The rivalries of Japan, China, Russia, and Great Britain made the American position very difficult.
Alone during the two years, unpaid for months at a time, with failing health, with limited advice or attention from Washington, in the midst of intrigue and open hostility, he conducted his office with skill and marked ability, and with credit to his country.
At his own request he was relieved in June 1886 by William H. Parker, but was soon recalled. He was finally withdrawn as attaché in June 1887, despite the protests of the Korean King. The action was taken on the demand of the Chinese government and of the Korean foreign office, which was under the latter’s influence, because of Foulk’s close relations with the King and his refusal to acquiesce in Chinese domination.
Previously he had declined the King’s invitation to become personal adviser to His Majesty. He was recalled to Washington where he was given commendation and his commission of lieutenant, junior grade (as of May 1, 1884), but his valid claims for back pay were disallowed, and now that his services were no longer a necessity he was discarded by the Department of State.
For two years he was employed by the American Trading Company of Yokohama, but a business career did not appeal to him, and in 1890 he resigned to take a position as professor of mathematics at Doshisha College, Kyoto. Here he remained until his death, a valued member of the faculty, despite his failing health induced by the severe strain of his work in Korea.
Foulk died at the age of thirty- seven years, and was buried in Kyoto.
Achievements
Connections
George Clayton Foulk had married a Japanese, Kane Murase, whom he had known for many years, during the summer of 1887, and he returned to Japan, where he resigned his commission.