George Douglas, 17th Earl of Morton facts for kids
George Sholto Douglas, 17th Earl of Morton (born December 23, 1789 – died March 31, 1858) was an important Scottish politician. Before 1827, people knew him as George Douglas. He was a member of the Tory Party, which was a major political group in Britain.
Contents
Who Was George Douglas?
George Douglas was born into a noble family. His father was John Douglas, who was the second son of James Douglas, 14th Earl of Morton. His mother was Lady Frances, whose father was Edward Lascelles, 1st Earl of Harewood.
Becoming an Earl
In 1827, George Douglas became the 17th Earl of Morton after his cousin passed away. An Earl is a very high rank in the British nobility. This title meant he had an important position in society.
Serving in Parliament
In 1828, Lord Morton was chosen as a Scottish Representative Peer. This meant he represented Scotland in the House of Lords. The House of Lords is part of the British Parliament, where laws are discussed and made.
His Role as a Lord-in-waiting
Lord Morton served as a Lord-in-waiting from 1841 to 1846. This role meant he was a government whip in the House of Lords. A whip helps make sure that members of their political party vote together on important issues. He worked for the Tory government led by Sir Robert Peel. He also served in this role again in 1852, for the Conservative government led by the Earl of Derby.
Family Life
In 1817, Lord Morton married Frances Theodora. Her father was Sir George Henry Rose.
His Children
Lord Morton and Frances had several children. Their second son, George Henry Douglas, grew up to become an Admiral in the Royal Navy. This means he was a high-ranking officer in the British navy.
Later Life and Legacy
Lord Morton passed away in March 1858 when he was 68 years old. His eldest son, Sholto, then became the 18th Earl of Morton. Lady Morton, his wife, lived until 1879.
