James Maitland, 9th Earl of Lauderdale facts for kids
James Maitland, 9th Earl of Lauderdale (born May 12, 1784 – died August 22, 1860) was an important British politician. He was known as Viscount Maitland for many years before he became an Earl. He belonged to a political group called the Whigs.
Early Life and Education
James Maitland was the son of James Maitland, 8th Earl of Lauderdale. His mother was Eleanor Todd. He went to school at Eton, which is a famous school. He also studied at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.
His Time in Politics
James Maitland was a Member of Parliament (MP) several times. An MP is someone elected to represent people in the government. He represented different areas:
- Camelford from 1806 to 1807
- Richmond, Yorkshire from 1818 to 1820
- Appleby from 1828 to 1832
In 1839, when his father passed away, James became the Earl of Lauderdale. This meant he joined the House of Lords, which is a part of the British Parliament. He also served as the Lord Lieutenant of Berwickshire from 1841 to 1860. A Lord Lieutenant is a special representative of the King or Queen in a county.
Family and Later Life
Lord Lauderdale passed away at Thirlestane Castle in Berwickshire in August 1860. He was 76 years old. He never married, so his younger brother, Admiral Sir Anthony Maitland, became the next Earl.
