Background
Anson was the second son of George Anson (previously Adams) and his wife The Honorary Mary Vernon, daughter of the first Lord Vernon.
Anson was the second son of George Anson (previously Adams) and his wife The Honorary Mary Vernon, daughter of the first Lord Vernon.
He had an elder brother Thomas Anson, 1st Viscount Anson and a younger brother Sir William Anson, 1st Baronet. Another younger brother was Frederick, who became Dean of Chester. Also, Admiral George Anson, 1st Baron Anson was his great-uncle.
(See Earl of Lichfield for more information on the Anson family).
The Peninsular Wars and gaining of reputation He entered the British Army in 1786 and served under the Duke of York and Sir Ralph Abercromby in Holland. lieutenant was to be in the Peninsular War where his reputation grew markedly.
He served in all the campaigns between 1809 and 1813 and gained distinction in his command of the 16th Light Dragoons at the Second Battle of Porto. His reputation was further enhanced by his command of a brigade of light cavalry at the Battles of Talavera, Busaco, Salamanca and Vittoria.
He also fought in the Battle of Venta del Pozo during the retreat from Burgos.
So prominent was he during these campaigns that the House of Commons thanked him in November 1816 for his services generally during the Peninsular Wars. In February 1827 he was appointed to the colonelcy of the 4th Dragoon Guards and rose to the rank of General. Outside conflict He was also the Groom of the Bedchamber to Prince Albert from 1836 to September 1841.
In 1846 he was appointed the lieutenant-governor of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea and became governor in May 1849.
Anson married Frances, daughter of John William Hamilton, in 1800.
3rd United Kingdom Parliament. 4th United Kingdom Parliament. 5th United Kingdom Parliament.
6th United Kingdom Parliament.
7th United Kingdom Parliament. 8th United Kingdom Parliament.
9th United Kingdom Parliament. 10th United Kingdom Parliament.
11th United Kingdom Parliament.
12th United Kingdom Parliament. 13th United Kingdom Parliament]
He commanded a British cavalry brigade under the Duke of Wellington during the Peninsular War and sat for many years as a Whig Member of Parliament. Aside from his military career he also sat as Member of Parliament for Lichfield from 1806 to 1841.