This page was last updated on 30 September 2021 Click here to  Print this page Biography finder A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z     Index of first names

Walter, 5th Duke of Buccleugh

 

 

 

Walter Francis Montagu Douglas Scott, 5th Duke of Buccleuch, 7th Duke of Queensberry KG, PC (25 November 1806 – 16 April 1884) was a British politician and nobleman.

Walter Montagu Douglas Scott was born on 25 November 1806 at Dalkeith House, Midlothian, Scotland. He was the fifth child of seven, and second son born to Sir Charles William Henry Montagu Scott, 4th Duke of Buccleuch & 6th Duke of Queensberry, and the Honourable Harriet Katherine Townshend, daughter of Thomas Townshend, 1st Viscount Sydney of St. Leonards and Elizabeth Powys. When Walter's elder brother, George Henry, died at the age of 10 from measles, Walter became heir apparent to the Dukedoms of Buccleuch and Queensberry.

Walter was only thirteen when he succeeded his father to the Dukedoms of Buccleuch and Queensberry in 1819. He was educated at Eton College and St John's College, Cambridge (M.A., 1827). He married Lady Charlotte Anne Thynne, daughter of the Marquess of Bath, and the Honourable Isabella Elizabeth Byng, in London on Thursday 13 August 1829. The couple had three daughters and four sons, including William Henry Walter Montagu Douglas Scott, later the 6th Duke, whose christening was attended by King George IV. In 1822, King George spent some days as Sir Walter's guest at Dalkeith Palace, the first visit of a reigning Hanoverian monarch to Scotland. Twenty years later, Queen Victoria honoured him with a visit, as well.

 Lord Henry Montagu Douglas Scott, second son of the fifth Duke of Buccleuch, was created Baron Montagu of Beaulieu in 1885 and thereafter changed his surname to Douglas-Scott-Montagu.

A great Scottish land magnate, Buccleuch was a Conservative in politics, and was created a Knight of the Garter in 1835 and Privy Counsellor in 1842. He served as Lord Privy Seal (1842 to 1846), and Lord President of the Council (January to July, 1846) in Peel's government, when he reluctantly supported Peel's decision to repeal the Corn Laws.

The family continued to hold a high profile in royal circles, being invited to the Coronations of William IV and Victoria, with the Duke acting as Gold Stick.

After Peel's fall, Buccleuch's political career largely came to an end. In 1878 he became Chancellor of the University of Glasgow, a post he held until his death in 1884.