Lord Charles Somerset
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Governor of the Cape Colony | |
In office 1814–1826 | |
Monarchs |
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Preceded by | John Cradock |
Succeeded by | Richard Bourke (acting) |
Personal details | |
Born | 12 December 1767 (1767-12-12) |
Died | 18 February 1831 (1831-02-19) (aged 63) |
Nationality | British |
Spouses |
(m. 1788; died 1815)Lady Mary Poulett (m. 1821) |
Children | 9, including Henry and Poulett |
Parents |
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Lord Charles Henry Somerset PC (12 December 1767 – 18 February 1831), born in Badminton, England, was a British soldier, politician and colonial administrator.[1] He was governor of the Cape Colony, South Africa, from 1814 to 1826.
Somerset was the second son of Henry Somerset, 5th Duke of Beaufort, and Elizabeth, daughter of Admiral the Hon. Edward Boscawen. He was the brother of Henry Somerset, 6th Duke of Beaufort, General Lord Robert Somerset, Lord Arthur Somerset and Field Marshal FitzRoy Somerset, 1st Baron Raglan.[1]
Somerset sat as member of parliament for Scarborough between 1796 and 1802 and for Monmouth Boroughs between 1802 and 1813. He served as Comptroller of the Household between 1797 and 1804 and as Joint Paymaster of the Forces between 1804 and 1806 and 1807 and 1813 and was sworn of the Privy Council on 26 April 1797. In 1814 he was appointed Governor of the Cape Colony, a post he held until 1826.[2] The towns of Somerset West and Somerset East in South Africa are named after him.[3]
Somerset married firstly Lady Elizabeth Courtenay[4] (1766–1815), on 7 June 1788, following their elopement. She was the daughter of the 8th Earl of Devon.[1] They had six children:[1]
After the death of Lady Elizabeth, he married secondly Lady Mary Poulett, daughter of John Poulett, 4th Earl Poulett, on 9 August 1821.[1] They had three children:[1]
Somerset died in February 1831, aged 63. His second wife died in June 1860, aged 72.
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Parliament of Great Britain | ||
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Preceded by | Member of Parliament for Scarborough 1796–1801 With: Edmund Phipps |
Succeeded by Parliament of the United Kingdom |
Parliament of the United Kingdom | ||
Preceded by Parliament of Great Britain |
Member of Parliament for Scarborough 1801–1802 With: Edmund Phipps |
Succeeded by |
Preceded by | Member of Parliament for Monmouth Boroughs 1802–1813 |
Succeeded by |
Political offices | ||
Preceded by | Comptroller of the Household 1797–1804 |
Succeeded by |
Preceded by | Paymaster of the Forces 1804–1806 With: George Rose |
Succeeded by |
Preceded by | Paymaster of the Forces 1807–1813 With: Charles Long |
Succeeded by |
Government offices | ||
Preceded by | Governor of the Cape Colony 1814–1826 |
Succeeded by Richard Bourke (acting) |
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British occupation 1806–1814 |
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British colony 1814–1910 |
Those in italics were Acting Governors
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