George Bingham, 3rd Earl of Lucan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Earl of Lucan
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The 3rd Earl of Lucan. Engraving by D. J. Pound, c. 1860
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| Nickname(s) | "The Exterminator" |
| Born | 16 April 1800 London, England, Great Britain |
| Died | 10 November 1888 (aged 88) London, England, United Kingdom |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
 British Army |
| Years of service | 1816–1877 |
| Rank | Field Marshal |
| Commands held | Cavalry Division |
| Battles/wars | Crimean War |
| Awards |
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George Charles Bingham, 3rd Earl of Lucan (born April 16, 1800 – died November 10, 1888), was an important Anglo-Irish noble and a British Army officer. Before 1839, he was known as Lord Bingham.
He is remembered for his role in the Charge of the Light Brigade during the Battle of Balaclava in October 1854. This famous event happened during the Crimean War. Lord Lucan was one of the people who gave the order for the Light Brigade to charge. He later became a field marshal, which is a very high military rank.
Lord Lucan was also known as a strict landlord in Ireland during the Great Famine. He made big changes to his lands and helped find a way for Jewish people to join Parliament.
Contents
Early Life and Military Start
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George Bingham was born in London, England. He was the first son of the 2nd Earl of Lucan. He went to Westminster School but left early to join the army.
In 1816, at age 16, he became an ensign in the 6th Regiment of Foot. An ensign was a junior officer rank. He later moved to the 11th Light Dragoons. By 1826, he was a lieutenant colonel and led the 17th Lancers. He spent a lot of money on his officers' uniforms and horses. Because of this, his officers were sometimes called "Bingham's Dandies."
From 1826 to 1830, he was also a Member of Parliament (MP) for County Mayo in Ireland. He also observed the Imperial Russian Army during the Russo-Turkish War.
The 'Exterminator' Nickname
In 1839, Lord Bingham became the 3rd Earl of Lucan after his father passed away. He also became a Lord Lieutenant of Mayo in 1845. This made him the King's representative in County Mayo, Ireland.
During the Great Famine in the late 1840s, Lord Lucan was very strict with his tenants. He was known for forcing many families to leave their homes. For example, between 1846 and 1849, he destroyed over 300 homes and made 2,000 people leave in the town of Ballinrobe. He even tried to close a workhouse in Castlebar during the worst part of the Famine.
Because of these actions, many Irish people disliked him. He earned the nickname "The Exterminator." In 1851, he was promoted to major general in the army.
Serving in the Crimean War
When the Crimean War began, Lord Lucan asked for a job in the army. He was made the commander of the Cavalry Division. His brother-in-law, the 7th Earl of Cardigan, led the Light Brigade under him. However, the two men did not get along at all.
In September 1854, Lord Lucan was at the Battle of Alma. He was told by the army commander, Lord Raglan, to keep his division in reserve. This meant they did not fight much. This led to him being unfairly called "Lord Look-on."
At the Battle of Balaclava in October 1854, Lord Lucan received an order from Lord Raglan. He then passed this order to Lord Cardigan, telling him to lead the Charge of the Light Brigade. This charge resulted in many British soldiers being killed or wounded without gaining much ground. Lord Lucan himself was slightly wounded in the leg while bringing another group of soldiers forward.
Lord Raglan blamed Lord Lucan for the heavy losses. He criticized him in his reports. Lord Lucan complained about this blame. Since the two commanders could not work together, Lord Lucan was sent back to England in March 1855.
When he arrived, Lord Lucan asked for a court-martial (a military trial) to clear his name. This was refused. Instead, he gave a speech in the House of Lords in March 1855. He blamed Lord Raglan and his deceased assistant, Captain Louis Nolan. This speech seemed to work. He was later given an important award, the Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath. He also became the Colonel of the 8th Light Dragoons, a regiment that had been part of the Light Brigade's charge.
Later Life and Contributions
Lord Lucan made an important contribution in Parliament. At the time, Jewish people could not become Members of Parliament. This was because they had to take an oath that included the words "on the true faith of a Christian." Many distinguished Jewish people refused to say these words.
Lord Lucan suggested a compromise. He proposed that each part of Parliament could decide and change its own oath. The House of Lords, which had been against allowing Jewish members, agreed to this idea. Because of this, a prominent Jewish man, Lionel Nathan Rothschild, was able to join the House of Commons in 1858.
Although Lord Lucan did not fight in any more wars, he continued to be promoted in the army. He became a lieutenant general in 1858 and a general in 1865. He received another high honor, the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath, in 1869. He officially retired in 1877. After some effort, he was promoted to field marshal in 1887. He died in London in 1888 and was buried in Laleham, Middlesex.
Family Life
In 1829, Lord Bingham married Lady Anne Brudenell. They had six children together.
- Charles, 4th Earl of Lucan: He married Cecilia Catherine Gordon-Lennox. They had children.
- Augusta (1832–1888): She married her cousin, Henry Sturt, 1st Baron Alington. They had children.
- Lavinia (c. 1836–1864): She married Charles Hardinge, 2nd Viscount Hardinge. They had children.
- Rear-Admiral Richard (1847–1924): He married Mary Elizabeth Cole.
Images for kids
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The 3rd Earl of Lucan. Engraving by D. J. Pound, c. 1860
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George, Lord Bingham, at age 14
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The Charge of the Light Brigade: Lord Lucan gave the order to Lord Cardigan to lead the charge.
See also
In Spanish: George Charles Bingham para niños
