Background
He was the eldest son of the second earl.
He was the eldest son of the second earl.
He was educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge.
From 1814 until his accession in 1859, he was styled Viscount Melgund. At the 1847 general election, he was returned as Member of Parliament for Greenock. He held that seat until the 1852 general election, when he contested Glasgow without success.
He was returned for Clackmannanshire and Kinross-shire at the 1857 general election, but did not stand again in 1859.
He was made a Knight of the Thistle in 1870.
12th United Kingdom Parliament. 13th United Kingdom Parliament. 15th United Kingdom Parliament.
17th United Kingdom Parliament]
He was elected as the Member of Parliament (Member of Parliament) for Hythe at a by-election in May 1837, and held the seat until the 1841 general election, when he stood unsuccessfully in Rochester.