Sholto Douglas, 19th Earl of Morton facts for kids

Sholto George Watson Douglas (born November 5, 1844, died October 8, 1935) was the 19th Earl of Morton. He was an important landowner in Scotland. He also owned businesses, including mines in a place called Svalbard, which is now part of Norway. Sholto Douglas was also a politician. He served in the British House of Lords as a representative peer from 1886 until his death.

A Life of Influence

Sholto George Watson Douglas was born in 1844. He became the 19th Earl of Morton. This title meant he was a member of the Scottish nobility. He lived a long life, passing away in 1935.

Landowner and Public Service

The Earl of Morton owned a lot of land in Scotland. His home was Conaglen House in Ardgour, Argyllshire. He was also involved in public service. From 1901, he served as a Deputy Lieutenant for the county of Argyll. A Deputy Lieutenant helps the Lord-Lieutenant, who represents the King or Queen in a county.

He was also a politician. In 1886, he was chosen by the Peerage of Scotland to be a representative peer. This meant he could represent Scottish nobles in the British House of Lords. He held this important position until he died in 1935.

Mining Adventures in the Arctic

In the early 1900s, many people wanted to find resources in the Arctic. They looked at the islands of Svalbard, which is an archipelago (a group of islands) north of Norway. Countries like Britain, the Netherlands, and Norway all wanted to claim land there. They hoped to find valuable minerals.

The Earl of Morton was very interested in these Arctic opportunities. He invested in several mining companies. One company was called Spitzbergen Coal and Mineral Ltd. Later, in 1906, he and his son Rory joined the Spitzbergen Mining and Exploration Syndicate (SMES).

Coal Mining in Svalbard

The Earl and his partners claimed land on the island of Spitsbergen, which is part of Svalbard. In 1906, they opened a coal mine at a place they called Camp Morton, Svalbard. The Earl and his sons even sailed to Norway and Spitsbergen on a ship called the SY Latona to see the mines.

The company changed its name to Northern Enterprise Company Ltd (NEC) in 1910. They continued to mine coal there until the mid-1920s. Later, in 1932, the company sold its properties to the Norwegian government.

Family Life

Sholto Douglas had several sons. His oldest son, Sholto Charles, was known as Lord Aberdour. Sadly, he passed away before his father in 1911. When the 19th Earl of Morton died, his title and honors went to his grandson. This was Sholto Charles John Hay Douglas, who was born in 1907.