James Graham, 4th Duke of Montrose facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Duke of Montrose
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| Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster | |
| In office 26 February 1858 – 11 June 1859 |
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| Monarch | Victoria |
| Prime Minister | The Earl of Derby |
| Preceded by | Matthew Talbot Baines |
| Succeeded by | Sir George Grey, Bt |
| Postmaster General | |
| In office 19 July 1866 – 1 December 1868 |
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| Monarch | Victoria |
| Prime Minister | The Earl of Derby Benjamin Disraeli |
| Preceded by | The Lord Stanley of Alderley |
| Succeeded by | Marquess of Hartington |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 16 July 1799 |
| Died | 30 December 1874 (aged 75) |
| Nationality | British |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Spouse |
Hon. Caroline Horsley-Beresford
(m. 1836) |
| Children | Douglas Graham, 5th Duke of Montrose |
| Parents | James Graham, 3rd Duke of Montrose Lady Caroline Montagu |
| Alma mater | Trinity College, Cambridge |
James Graham, the 4th Duke of Montrose, was an important British politician. He was born on July 16, 1799, and passed away on December 30, 1874. Before he became Duke, people called him the Marquess of Graham until 1836. He was a member of the Conservative Party. He owned Buchanan Castle in Scotland, which he rebuilt, and also had a home in London.
Contents
Early Life and Education
James Graham was the son of the 3rd Duke of Montrose. His mother was Lady Caroline Maria. She was the daughter of the 4th Duke of Manchester. James went to school at Eton. He also studied at Trinity College, Cambridge.
Cricket Player
James Graham was a member of the Marylebone Cricket Club. He played in one professional cricket match. This was for an All-England team against Hampshire in 1828. He scored two runs in that game.
Political Career
In 1821, when he was 21, James Graham became the Vice-Chamberlain of the Household. This was a special role even though he was not yet a Member of Parliament. He also joined the Privy Council that same year. He stayed as Vice-Chamberlain until 1827.
In 1825, he was elected to Parliament for Cambridge. He held this seat until 1832. From 1828 to 1830, he worked as a commissioner for the India Board. In 1836, his father passed away. James then became the Duke of Montrose and joined the House of Lords.
When the Earl of Derby became Prime Minister in 1852, Montrose was given a new job. He became the Lord Steward of the Household. He kept this role until the government changed later that year.
He worked under the Earl of Derby again from 1858 to 1859. During this time, he was the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. Later, from 1866 to 1868, he served as Postmaster General. He worked under both the Earl of Derby and Benjamin Disraeli in this role. Even though he held these important jobs, he was never part of the main Cabinet. As Postmaster General, he helped create the Electric Telegraphs Bill. This law led to the Post Office taking over British telegraph companies.
Besides his political work, Montrose was also the Chancellor of the University of Glasgow. He held this position from 1837 until 1874, following in his father's footsteps. He was also the Lord Lieutenant of Stirlingshire from 1843 to 1874. In 1845, he was made a Knight of the Thistle. This is a very special honor.
Family Life
In 1836, James Graham married Hon. Caroline Agnes Horsley-Beresford. She was the daughter of John Beresford, the 2nd Baron Decies. In 1860, both he and his wife survived a train crash known as the Atherstone rail accident. Caroline outlived him. In 1876, she married William Stuart Stirling-Crawfurd.
Children
James and Caroline had several children:
- Lord James John Graham (1845–1846), who sadly died as a baby.
- Lord James Graham (1847–1872), known as the Marquess of Graham. He was the oldest son who lived past infancy. He passed away two years before his father.
- Douglas Graham, 5th Duke of Montrose (1852–1925). He was their only son who lived to adulthood and became the next Duke. He married Violet Hermione Graham.
Daughters
- Lady Agnes Caroline Graham (1839–1873). She married Lt. Col. John Murray in 1859.
- Lady Beatrice Violet Graham (1842–1932). She was a writer and married Algernon Greville, 2nd Baron Greville in 1863.
- Lady Alma Imogen Leonora Carlotta Graham DGStJ (1854–1932). She married Gavin Campbell, 1st Marquess of Breadalbane in 1872.
Later Years and Death
James Graham, the 4th Duke of Montrose, passed away in December 1874. He was 75 years old. His son, Douglas Graham, 5th Duke of Montrose, became the next Duke.
