Charles Bruce, 3rd Earl of Ailesbury facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Earl of Ailesbury and Elgin
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The Earl of Ailesbury and Elgin.
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| Personal details | |
| Born | 29 May 1682 |
| Died | 10 February 1747 (aged 64) |
| Nationality | British |
| Spouses | Lady Anne Savile (died 1717) Lady Juliana Boyle (died 1739) Lady Caroline Campbell (1721–1803) |
| Children | 5 |
| Parents | Thomas Bruce, 2nd Earl of Ailesbury Lady Elizabeth Seymour |
Charles Bruce, 3rd Earl of Ailesbury and 4th Earl of Elgin (born May 29, 1682 – died February 10, 1747) was an important British landowner and politician. He was known as Viscount Bruce of Ampthill for most of his life, from 1685 to 1741.
Charles Bruce was a member of the English House of Commons and later the British House of Commons from 1705 to 1711. In 1711, he became a peer (a noble) and joined the House of Lords, which is part of the British Parliament. He owned large estates in Ampthill, Bedfordshire, and Savernake Park, Wiltshire.
Early Life and Family Background
Charles Bruce was the son of Thomas Bruce, 2nd Earl of Ailesbury, and his first wife, Lady Elizabeth Seymour. His mother was the daughter of Henry Seymour, Lord Beauchamp.
In 1696, when Charles was young, his father was arrested and held in the Tower of London. His mother passed away in 1697. Soon after, his father was allowed to leave England and lived the rest of his life in Flanders (modern-day Belgium). He remarried there and his children, including Charles, visited him often. The family's wealth was not taken by the government, so Charles and his siblings lived comfortably.
His Time in Politics
Charles Bruce began his political career in 1705. He was elected to Parliament for a place called Great Bedwyn. He was re-elected in 1708.
In the 1710 election, he was elected for two areas: Great Bedwyn and Marlborough. He chose to represent Marlborough. In 1711, he was called to the House of Lords. This meant he became a noble, taking on his father's lesser title, Baron Bruce of Whorlton.
In 1741, he inherited his father's main titles, becoming the Earl of Elgin and Ailesbury. Since his own sons had passed away before him, a new title, Baron Bruce of Tottenham, was created for him in 1746. This new title had a special rule: it would pass to his nephew, Thomas Brudenell, after Charles's death.
His Family Life
Lord Ailesbury was married three times.
His first wife was Lady Anne Savile. They had four children:
- Hon. Robert Bruce (died 1738)
- Hon. George Bruce (born before 1717)
- Lady Mary Bruce (1710 – 1738), who married Henry Brydges, 2nd Duke of Chandos and had children.
- Lady Elizabeth Bruce, who married the Honourable Benjamin Bathurst.
After Lady Anne passed away in 1717, Lord Ailesbury married Lady Juliana Boyle. They did not have any children.
After Lady Juliana's death in 1739, he married Lady Caroline Campbell. She was 18 years old, and he was 47. They had one daughter:
- Lady Mary Bruce (1740 – 1796), who married Charles Lennox, 3rd Duke of Richmond. They did not have children.
Because neither of his sons survived him or had children, his main titles were passed on to other family members. The earldom of Elgin went to his cousin, the Earl of Kincardine. The earldom of Ailesbury ended with him. The special barony of Bruce of Tottenham went to his nephew, Thomas Brudenell, as planned.
His last wife, Lady Caroline, later married Henry Seymour Conway. She passed away in 1803 at the age of 82.
