Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Stuart, Charles (1753-1801)

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644834Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 55 — Stuart, Charles (1753-1801)1898Thomas Finlayson Henderson

STUART, Sir CHARLES (1753–1801), general, fourth son of John Stuart, third earl of Bute [q. v.], by Mary, only daughter of Edward Wortley Montagu, was born in January 1753. He entered the army in 1768 as ensign in the 37th foot, and in 1777 was made lieutenant-colonel of the 26th foot or Cameronians, with which he served during the American war. In 1780 he was returned M.P. for Bossiney in Cornwall. In 1782 he was promoted colonel, and in 1793 major-general. In 1794 and 1795 he was employed in the Mediterranean, and made himself master of Corsica. In December 1796 he was employed against the French in Portugal, and secured it against invasion. Returning home in 1798, he was made lieutenant-general, and directed to take command of the British forces in Portugal and proceed with them to Minorca; and, landing on 7 Nov., compelled the Spanish forces, numbering three thousand seven hundred, to capitulate without the loss of a man. In recognition of his services he was on 8 Jan. 1799 invested with the order of the Bath, and the same year he was appointed governor of Minorca. Shortly afterwards he was ordered to Malta, where he captured the fortress of La Valette. He died at Richmond Lodge on 25 March 1801. By his wife Louisa, second daughter and coheir of Lord Vere Bertie, he had two sons, the eldest of whom, Charles [q. v.], became Baron Stuart de Rothesay.

[Gent. Mag. 1801, i. 374; Anderson's Scottish Nation.]

T. F. H.

Dictionary of National Biography, Errata (1904), p.261
N.B.— f.e. stands for from end and l.l. for last line

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74 ii 8 f.e. Stuart, Sir Charles (1753-1801): after American war. insert In 1780 he was returned to parliament for Bossiney, Cornwall.