British General and Politician. Son of Henry Richard Vassall-Fox (3rd Baron Holland and Baron Holland of Foxley) and Elizabeth Vassall, he was drawn toward military and public service from an early age. He was educated at Eton until 1808. In 1809, at age thirteen, he joined the Royal Navy and served as a Midshipman until 1813. His years of service in the Royal Navy included participation in the Napoleonic Wars. Dissatisfied with his prospects, however, in 1815 he joined the Army as an ensign in the 85th Regiment of Foot. He was rapidly promoted over the next twelve years: to Lieutenant in 1818 (while attached to the Royal West Indian Rangers), Captain in 1824 (commanding a company of the 95th Regiment of Foot), Major in 1825 (in the 85th Regiment of Foot), and Lieutenant Colonel in 1827. In 1824 he married Mary FitzClarence, a daughter of King William IV. In 1830, he was appointed commanding officer of the First Battalion of the Grenadier Guards and was invested a knight of the Royal Guelphic Order. He served as an Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to William IV from 1832 until the King's death in 1837. His military career continued to steadily progress, even after his father-in-law the King passed away. In 1837 he was promoted to Colonel, and served as an aide-camp to Queen Victoria from 1837 to 1846. Appointed Receiver-General (Treasurer) for the Duchy of Lancaster, and served in this capacity from 1837 until his death. On four separate occasions, he was appointed Surveyor-General of Ordnance: 1832 to 1834, 1841, and 1846 to 1852; in which he was responsible for the mapping of Great Britain's defensive fortifications. His role as Surveyor General was supplemented by his appointment, from 1835 to 1841, as Secretary to the Master General of Ordnance. His military and political careers successfully coexisted, having served as a Member of Parliament first representing Calne (1831 to 1832), second Tavistock (1832 to 1835), third Stroud (1835), and finally representing the City of London and Middlesex border region known as Tower Hamlets from 1841 to 1847. He was promoted to Major General in 1846, Lieutenant General in 1854, and General in 1863. In 1865, he was appointed to the honourary position of Colonel Commandant of the 57th Regiment of Foot. In addition to his military and parliamentary contributions, Fox had a keen interest in archaeology. His antiquarian research led to the publication of several books: "Catalogue of Greek Coins in Gold, Silver and Copper" (1852) and "Engravings of Unedited or Rare Greek Coins" (1856). By the time of his death, he had accumulated over 60 years of military, civil, and political service to Great Britain.