Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 2nd Earl of Minto

Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 2nd Earl of Minto, GCB, PC (16 November 1782  31 July 1859), styled as Viscount Melgund between 1813 and 1814, was a British diplomat and Whig politician.


The Earl of Minto

GCB PC
First Lord of the Admiralty
In office
15 September 1835  30 August 1841
MonarchWilliam IV
Queen Victoria
Prime MinisterThe Viscount Melbourne
Preceded byThe Lord Auckland
Succeeded byThe Earl of Haddington
Personal details
Born(1782-11-16)16 November 1782
Died31 July 1859(1859-07-31) (aged 76)
NationalityBritish
Political partyWhig
Spouse(s)Mary Brydone (d. 1853)
Children10
ParentsGilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 1st Earl of Minto
Anna Maria Amyand
EducationEton College
Alma materSt. John's College, Cambridge

Background and education

Minto was the eldest son of the Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound, 1st Earl of Minto, and Anna Maria, daughter of Sir George Amyand, 1st Baronet.[1] He was educated at Eton and St John's College, Cambridge.[2]

Diplomatic and political career

Minto was returned to Parliament for Ashburton in 1806, a seat he held until 1807, and then represented Roxburghshire between 1812 and 1814. He took a dim view of the Prince Regent and his government. The latter year he succeeded his father in the earldom and took his seat in the House of Lords. He was admitted to Privy Council in 1832.[3]

From 1832 to 1834 he was Minister to Prussia. In 1835 he was appointed First Lord of the Admiralty under Lord Melbourne, a post he held until 1841, and later served as Lord Privy Seal under Lord John Russell from 1846 to 1852. In his youth, Elliot had gone to Corsica where his father was viceroy and he developed an abiding affection for Italy. He served as special envoy to Switzerland, Sardinia, Tuscany, Rome, Sicily in 1847–8.[3] His influence in the Whig party was partly because his daughter, Lady Frances, was the wife of Lord John Russell.[4]

Family

Lord Minto married Mary, daughter of Patrick Brydone, in 1806. They had at least five sons and five daughters. Lady Minto died in July 1853. Lord Minto survived her by six years and died in July 1859, aged 75. He was succeeded in the earldom by his eldest son, William.

References

  1. Gilbert Elliot, 2nd Earl of Minto. thepeerage.com
  2. "Elliot, Gilbert (ELT803G)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge.
  3. Henry, D.G., "Elliot Murray Kynynmound, Hon. Gilbert (1782-1859), of Minto, Roxburgh.", The History of Parliament
  4. Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Minto, Earls of" . Encyclopædia Britannica. 18 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 563.
  5. "Death of Sir Gerald Portal". The Times. London. 26 January 1894. pp. 3, col F.
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
Walter Palk
Sir Hugh Inglis, Bt
Member of Parliament for Ashburton
1806–1807
With: Walter Palk
Succeeded by
Walter Palk
Lord Charles Bentinck
Preceded by
John Rutherford
Member of Parliament for Roxburghshire
1812–1814
Succeeded by
Sir Alexander Don, Bt
Diplomatic posts
Preceded by
George Chad
British Minister to Prussia
18321834
Succeeded by
Sir George Shee, Bt
Political offices
Preceded by
The Lord Auckland
First Lord of the Admiralty
18351841
Succeeded by
The Earl of Haddington
Preceded by
The Earl of Haddington
Lord Privy Seal
18461852
Succeeded by
The Marquess of Salisbury
Peerage of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
Gilbert Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound
Earl of Minto
1814–1859
Succeeded by
William Elliot-Murray-Kynynmound
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