Godfrey Macdonald, 3rd Baron Macdonald facts for kids
Lt.-General Godfrey Bosville Macdonald, 3rd Baron Macdonald of Sleat (born 1775 in Edinburgh, Scotland) was an important military leader. He passed away in 1832 in Bridlington, England. Godfrey was the second son of Alexander Macdonald, 1st Baron Macdonald. He became the 3rd Baron Macdonald of Sleat in 1824. This happened after his older brother, Alexander Macdonald, 2nd Baron Macdonald, died without children.
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Early Life and Education
Godfrey Macdonald grew up in a notable family. He received a good education. He attended Harrow School in Harrow on the Hill, London, England. After that, he went to Oriel College at the University of Oxford in Oxford, England. He started his studies there in December 1792.
Military Career and Service
Godfrey Macdonald had a long and active military career. He joined the army in 1794 as an ensign. He served in several different regiments. These included the Loyal Kelso Regiment and the King's Royal Rifle Corps. By 1796, he had become a captain. He served with the 86th Regiment of Foot and the 70th (Surrey) Regiment of Foot.
He continued to rise through the ranks. He became a major with the 55th Regiment of Foot. Later, he was a lieutenant-colonel with the South Wales Borderers. In 1808, he joined the Grenadier Guards as a lieutenant-colonel. He was promoted to brevet colonel in 1811. Then, he became a major-general in 1814. His final rank was lieutenant-general in 1830.
Key Military Engagements
Godfrey Macdonald took part in several important military actions.
- He fought in the expedition to Ostend in 1798.
- From 1801 to 1802, he served in the British West Indies.
- He helped recapture the Cape of Good Hope between 1805 and 1806. This was under the command of Sir David Baird, 1st Baronet.
- He also fought in the Peninsular War in 1812.
Family Life and Children
Godfrey Macdonald married Louisa Maria La Coast on December 29, 1803. Their wedding took place in Norwich, Norfolk, England. Louisa was born in 1781 in Esher, Surrey, England. She passed away in 1835. They had many children together. Three children were born before their marriage. Ten more children were born after they were married.
- Alexander William Robert Bosville (1800–1847)
- William Macdonald (1801–c. 1805)
- Louisa Bosville Macdonald (1802–1854); her descendants include the Marquesses of Linlithgow.
- Hon. Elizabeth Diana Bosville Macdonald (1804–1839)
- Hon. Julia Bosville Macdonald (1805–1884)
- Hon. Susan Hussey Bosville Macdonald (1807–1879)
- Godfrey William Wentworth Bosville-Macdonald, 4th Baron Macdonald (1809–1863)
- Lieutenant-General Hon. James William Bosville Macdonald (born 1810)
- Hon. Diana Bosville Macdonald (1812–1880); her daughter married the 4th Earl of Harewood.
- Hon. Jane Bosville Macdonald (1815–1888)
- Hon. Marianne Bosville Macdonald (1816–1876); her daughter married the 3rd Earl of Eldon.
- Hon. William Bosville Macdonald (1817–1847)
- Hon. Octavia Sophia Bosville Macdonald (c. 1819–1897)
Inheritance and Name Changes
In 1813, Godfrey Macdonald inherited a large fortune. This came from his uncle, William Bosville, who had no children. The inheritance included many estates, such as Gunthwaite in Yorkshire. As part of the agreement for this inheritance, Godfrey had to change his last name. On April 11, 1814, he officially changed his surname to Bosville. Later, on July 20, 1824, he changed it again to Bosville-Macdonald.
