John Leslie-Melville, 9th Earl of Leven facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Earl of Leven and Melville
DL JP
|
|
|---|---|
| Representative Peer for Scotland | |
| In office 28 July 1865 – 16 September 1876 |
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| Preceded by | The Lord Rollo |
| Succeeded by | The Earl of Lauderdale |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
John Thornton Leslie-Melville
18 December 1786 |
| Died | 16 September 1876 (aged 89) |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Spouses |
Harriet Thornton
(m. 1812; Sophia Thornton
(m. 1834) |
| Relations | David Leslie-Melville, 8th Earl of Leven (brother) John Thornton (grandfather) Samuel Thornton (uncle) Henry Thornton (uncle) |
| Parents | Alexander Leslie-Melville, 7th Earl of Leven Jane Thornton |
John Thornton Leslie-Melville, 9th Earl of Leven, 8th Earl of Melville (born 18 December 1786 – died 16 September 1876) was a Scottish nobleman and soldier. He held important titles and served his country in various ways. He was also a DL and a JP.
Contents
A Nobleman's Life: John Thornton Leslie-Melville
Growing Up and Family Connections
John Thornton Leslie-Melville was born on 18 December 1786. His father was Alexander Leslie-Melville, 7th Earl of Leven. His mother was Jane Thornton. John had several brothers and sisters.
His family had strong connections. His grandfather on his father's side was David Melville, 6th Earl of Leven. This grandfather also served in the British Parliament. John's grandfather on his mother's side was John Thornton. He was a successful merchant and helped many people.
His Career and Public Service
John became the 9th Earl of Leven in 1860. This happened because his older brother, David Leslie-Melville, 8th Earl of Leven, passed away without any sons to inherit the title. The title of Earl of Melville has been connected to the Earls of Leven since 1707.
John had an interesting career. In 1809, he worked as a Deputy Paymaster for the British forces. This was during the Peninsular War, a big conflict in Europe. He also helped start a banking company called Williams, Deacon, Labouchere, Thornton & Co. From 1865 to 1876, he was a Representative Peer for Scotland. This meant he represented Scotland's nobility in the British Parliament. He was a member of the Conservative political party.
Family Life and Marriages
John Thornton Leslie-Melville married twice. Both of his wives were his cousins. On 15 September 1812, he married Harriet Thornton. She was the daughter of Samuel Thornton, who was a Member of Parliament. John and Harriet had several children together:
- Lady Emily Maria Leslie-Melville (1815–1896)
- Alexander Leslie-Melville, 10th Earl of Leven (1817–1889)
- Hon. Alfred John Leslie-Melville (1826–1851)
- Lady Julia Louisa Leslie-Melville (1829–1870)
- Lady Adelaide Harriet Leslie-Melville (1831–1898)
After Harriet passed away in 1832, John married Sophia Thornton on 23 April 1834. Sophia was also a cousin and the daughter of Henry Thornton. John and Sophia had more children:
- Ronald Leslie-Melville, 11th Earl of Leven (1835–1906)
- Hon. Norman Leslie-Melville (1839–1923)
- Lady Ann Sophia Leslie-Melville (1843–1898)
- Lady Florence Lucy Leslie-Melville (1848–1930)
- Lady Kathleen Mabel Leslie-Melville (died 1958)
Lord Leven passed away on 16 September 1876. His eldest surviving son, Alexander, took over his titles as the next Earl. John is buried with his second wife, Sophia, in Brompton Cemetery in London.
