Walter Montagu-Douglas-Scott, 5th Duke of Buccleuch
Encyclopedia
Walter Francis Montagu Douglas Scott, 5th Duke of Buccleuch, 7th Duke of Queensberry KG
, PC
(25 November 1806 – 16 April 1884), styled Earl of Dalkeith between 1812 and 1819, was a British politician and nobleman.
, Midlothian
, Scotland
, the fifth child of seven, and second son of Charles Montagu-Scott, 4th Duke of Buccleuch
, and the Honourable Harriet Katherine Townshend, daughter of Thomas Townshend, 1st Viscount Sydney
and Elizabeth Powys. When his older brother, George Henry, died at the age of 10 from measles, Walter became heir apparent to the Dukedoms of Buccleuch and Queensberry
. He was only thirteen when he succeeded his father to the Dukedoms of Buccleuch and Queensberry
in 1819.. Through his grandmother, the 3rd Duchess, he also inherited the ancient northern English lordship of Bowland
at this time. However, on his grandmother's death in 1827, the 5th Duke entailed the title upon his uncle, Henry James Montagu-Scott, 2nd Baron Montagu of Boughton. He was educated at Eton
and St John's College, Cambridge
(M.A., 1827). In June 1833 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society.
in politics, and was appointed a Knight of the Garter in 1835 and a Privy Counsellor in 1842. He served as Lord Privy Seal
from 1842 to 1846 and as Lord President of the Council
from January to July 1846 in Peel's
government, when he reluctantly supported Peel's decision to repeal the Corn Laws
. After Peel's fall, the Duke's political career largely came to an end. In 1878 he became Chancellor
of the University of Glasgow
, a post he held until his death in 1884.
, and the Honourable Isabella Elizabeth Byng, in London on Thursday 13 August 1829. The couple had three daughters and four sons, including William Henry Walter Montagu Douglas Scott, later to become the 6th Duke, Henry Douglas-Scott-Montagu, 1st Baron Montagu of Beaulieu
, and Admiral Lord Charles Montagu Douglas Scott. King George
spent some days in 1822 as the Duke's guest at Dalkeith Palace
, the first visit of a reigning Hanoverian monarch to Scotland. Twenty years later, Queen Victoria
also honoured him with a visit. The family continued to hold a high profile in royal circles, being invited to the Coronations of William IV
and Victoria
, with the Duke acting as Gold Stick
.
Buccleuch died at in Bowhill
, Selkirkshire
, in April 1884, aged 77, and was succeeded by his eldest son, William. He was buried at St Mary's Chapel, Dalkeith
.
Order of the Garter
The Most Noble Order of the Garter, founded in 1348, is the highest order of chivalry, or knighthood, existing in England. The order is dedicated to the image and arms of St...
, PC
Privy Council of the United Kingdom
Her Majesty's Most Honourable Privy Council, usually known simply as the Privy Council, is a formal body of advisers to the Sovereign in the United Kingdom...
(25 November 1806 – 16 April 1884), styled Earl of Dalkeith between 1812 and 1819, was a British politician and nobleman.
Background and education
Buccleuch was born at Dalkeith HouseDalkeith Palace
Dalkeith Palace in Dalkeith, Midlothian, Scotland, is the former seat of the Duke of Buccleuch.Dalkeith Castle was located to the north east of Dalkeith, and was originally in the hands of the Clan Graham in the 12th century and given to the Douglas family in the early 14th century. James Douglas...
, Midlothian
Midlothian
Midlothian is one of the 32 council areas of Scotland, and a lieutenancy area. It borders the Scottish Borders, East Lothian and the City of Edinburgh council areas....
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, the fifth child of seven, and second son of Charles Montagu-Scott, 4th Duke of Buccleuch
Charles Montagu-Scott, 4th Duke of Buccleuch
Charles William Henry Montagu-Scott, 4th Duke of Buccleuch & 6th Duke of Queensberry, KT was the son of Henry Scott, 3rd Duke of Buccleuch and Lady Elizabeth Montagu...
, and the Honourable Harriet Katherine Townshend, daughter of Thomas Townshend, 1st Viscount Sydney
Thomas Townshend, 1st Viscount Sydney
Thomas Townshend, 1st Viscount Sydney PC , was a British politician who held several important Cabinet posts in the second half of the 18th century...
and Elizabeth Powys. When his older brother, George Henry, died at the age of 10 from measles, Walter became heir apparent to the Dukedoms of Buccleuch and Queensberry
Duke of Buccleuch
The title Duke of Buccleuch , formerly also spelt Duke of Buccleugh, was created in the Peerage of Scotland on 20 April 1663 for the Duke of Monmouth, who was the eldest illegitimate son of Charles II of Scotland, England, and Ireland and who had married Anne Scott, 4th Countess of Buccleuch.Anne...
. He was only thirteen when he succeeded his father to the Dukedoms of Buccleuch and Queensberry
Duke of Buccleuch
The title Duke of Buccleuch , formerly also spelt Duke of Buccleugh, was created in the Peerage of Scotland on 20 April 1663 for the Duke of Monmouth, who was the eldest illegitimate son of Charles II of Scotland, England, and Ireland and who had married Anne Scott, 4th Countess of Buccleuch.Anne...
in 1819.. Through his grandmother, the 3rd Duchess, he also inherited the ancient northern English lordship of Bowland
Lordship of Bowland
The Lordship of Bowland, an ancient English title connected with the Forest of Bowland in the northwest of England, was once thought lost and was only recently rediscovered. It disappeared from sight in 1885 when the estates of the Towneleys, one of Lancashire’s great aristocratic families, were...
at this time. However, on his grandmother's death in 1827, the 5th Duke entailed the title upon his uncle, Henry James Montagu-Scott, 2nd Baron Montagu of Boughton. He was educated at Eton
Eton College
Eton College, often referred to simply as Eton, is a British independent school for boys aged 13 to 18. It was founded in 1440 by King Henry VI as "The King's College of Our Lady of Eton besides Wyndsor"....
and St John's College, Cambridge
St John's College, Cambridge
St John's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. The college's alumni include nine Nobel Prize winners, six Prime Ministers, three archbishops, at least two princes, and three Saints....
(M.A., 1827). In June 1833 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society.
Political career
A great Scottish land magnate, Buccleuch was a ConservativeConservative Party (UK)
The Conservative Party, formally the Conservative and Unionist Party, is a centre-right political party in the United Kingdom that adheres to the philosophies of conservatism and British unionism. It is the largest political party in the UK, and is currently the largest single party in the House...
in politics, and was appointed a Knight of the Garter in 1835 and a Privy Counsellor in 1842. He served as Lord Privy Seal
Lord Privy Seal
The Lord Privy Seal is the fifth of the Great Officers of State in the United Kingdom, ranking beneath the Lord President of the Council and above the Lord Great Chamberlain. The office is one of the traditional sinecure offices of state...
from 1842 to 1846 and as Lord President of the Council
Lord President of the Council
The Lord President of the Council is the fourth of the Great Officers of State of the United Kingdom, ranking beneath the Lord High Treasurer and above the Lord Privy Seal. The Lord President usually attends each meeting of the Privy Council, presenting business for the monarch's approval...
from January to July 1846 in Peel's
Robert Peel
Sir Robert Peel, 2nd Baronet was a British Conservative statesman who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 10 December 1834 to 8 April 1835, and again from 30 August 1841 to 29 June 1846...
government, when he reluctantly supported Peel's decision to repeal the Corn Laws
Corn Laws
The Corn Laws were trade barriers designed to protect cereal producers in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland against competition from less expensive foreign imports between 1815 and 1846. The barriers were introduced by the Importation Act 1815 and repealed by the Importation Act 1846...
. After Peel's fall, the Duke's political career largely came to an end. In 1878 he became Chancellor
Chancellor (education)
A chancellor or vice-chancellor is the chief executive of a university. Other titles are sometimes used, such as president or rector....
of the University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
, a post he held until his death in 1884.
Family
Buccleuch married Lady Charlotte Anne Thynne, daughter of Thomas Thynne, 2nd Marquess of BathThomas Thynne, 2nd Marquess of Bath
Thomas Thynne, 2nd Marquess of Bath KG , styled Viscount Weymouth from 1789 until 1796, was a British peer.-Background and education:...
, and the Honourable Isabella Elizabeth Byng, in London on Thursday 13 August 1829. The couple had three daughters and four sons, including William Henry Walter Montagu Douglas Scott, later to become the 6th Duke, Henry Douglas-Scott-Montagu, 1st Baron Montagu of Beaulieu
Henry Douglas-Scott-Montagu, 1st Baron Montagu of Beaulieu
Henry John Douglas-Scott-Montagu, 1st Baron Montagu of Beaulieu DL JP , known as Lord Henry Scott until 1885, was a British Conservative Party politician....
, and Admiral Lord Charles Montagu Douglas Scott. King George
George IV of the United Kingdom
George IV was the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and also of Hanover from the death of his father, George III, on 29 January 1820 until his own death ten years later...
spent some days in 1822 as the Duke's guest at Dalkeith Palace
Dalkeith Palace
Dalkeith Palace in Dalkeith, Midlothian, Scotland, is the former seat of the Duke of Buccleuch.Dalkeith Castle was located to the north east of Dalkeith, and was originally in the hands of the Clan Graham in the 12th century and given to the Douglas family in the early 14th century. James Douglas...
, the first visit of a reigning Hanoverian monarch to Scotland. Twenty years later, Queen Victoria
Victoria of the United Kingdom
Victoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....
also honoured him with a visit. The family continued to hold a high profile in royal circles, being invited to the Coronations of William IV
William IV of the United Kingdom
William IV was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of Hanover from 26 June 1830 until his death...
and Victoria
Victoria of the United Kingdom
Victoria was the monarch of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from 20 June 1837 until her death. From 1 May 1876, she used the additional title of Empress of India....
, with the Duke acting as Gold Stick
Gold Stick and Silver Stick
The Gold Stick and the Silver Stick are bodyguard positions in the British Royal Household, personal attendants to the Sovereign on ceremonial occasions....
.
Buccleuch died at in Bowhill
Bowhill, Scottish Borders
Bowhill is a village off the A708, in the Scottish Borders area of Scotland, near Selkirk, by the Yarrow WaterOther places nearby include Bowhill House, Boleside, Broadmeadows, Ettrickbridge, Kirkhope.-External links:*...
, Selkirkshire
Selkirkshire
Selkirkshire or the County of Selkirk is a registration county of Scotland. It borders Peeblesshire to the west, Midlothian to the north, Berwickshire to the north-east, Roxburghshire to the east, and Dumfriesshire to the south...
, in April 1884, aged 77, and was succeeded by his eldest son, William. He was buried at St Mary's Chapel, Dalkeith
Dalkeith
Dalkeith is a town in Midlothian, Scotland, lying on the River North Esk. It was granted a burgh of barony in 1401 and a burgh of regality in 1540...
.