Background
He was born in 1762 in Dunbar, in East Lothian on the southeast coast of Scotland.
Prisoner philanthropist of Falmouth
He was born in 1762 in Dunbar, in East Lothian on the southeast coast of Scotland.
He served in India, as a lieutenant in the 73rd regiment in the war against Hyder Ali"s forces. In 1780, he was wounded and captured. He was held prisoner for four years under bad conditions.
On his release, he was promoted to Captain.
He set up a school for the children of soldiers in his command. He was then appointed Lieutenant-Governor of Pendennis Castle and served until 1811.
He formed the Pendennis Volunteer Artillery, a local militia. In 1807, he founded the Falmouth Misericordia Society "for the relief of poor strangers and distressed persons of the town".
He also helped found a Church Girls" School in 1802 and a Boys" School in 1805.
He died on 27 October 1811 at Pendennis Castle. Memoirs of him were published in 1812 The Falmouth Misericordia Society was still in operation in 1887. "Melvill Road", connecting the A39 road with Falmouth Docks is named after him.