Viscount Melville facts for kids

Henry Dundas, the first Viscount Melville. He was a very important politician.

This is the Dundas Vault in Lasswade Kirkyard. The first five Viscounts Melville are buried here.

A Viscount is a special title of nobility, like a duke or a count, but a bit lower. The title of Viscount Melville comes from a place called Melville in Edinburgh. It's part of the Peerage of the United Kingdom, which is a system of noble titles in the UK.

How the Title Started

The title of Viscount Melville was first created on December 24, 1802. It was given to a very famous lawyer and politician named Henry Dundas. At the same time, he also received another title: Baron Dunira, which came from Dunira in Perthshire. Henry Dundas was the fourth son of Robert Dundas, of Arniston, the elder. He was offered an even higher title, an earldom, in 1809, but he said no.

Passing Down the Title

Henry Dundas's son became the second Viscount. He was also a well-known politician. He added the name Saunders to his own, which was his father-in-law's name. His son then became the third Viscount. This third Viscount was a General in the British Army.

After him, his younger brother became the fourth Viscount. Then, the fifth Viscount was his nephew. This nephew was the oldest son of Reverend Charles Dundas, who was the fourth son of the second Viscount. The fifth Viscount's younger brother then became the sixth Viscount. He worked as a diplomat, which means he represented his country in other nations.

The title continued to pass from father to son for many years. This continued until the eighth Viscount passed away in 1971. His nephew, the ninth Viscount, then inherited the title. He was the oldest son of Robert Maldred St John Melville Dundas, who was the second son of the seventh Viscount. As of 2014, the titles are held by the ninth Viscount's oldest son, the tenth Viscount. He became Viscount in 2011.

Family Homes and Burial Places

The family's main home is Melville Castle. It is located between the towns of Dalkeith and Lasswade. The first five viscounts, including Henry Dundas, are buried in a simple vault. This vault is in the Old Lasswade Kirkyard, which is an old churchyard. The sixth Viscount Melville, Charles Saunders Dundas, is buried in a different cemetery. It's the small north cemetery in Lasswade, right next to the old churchyard. His wife, Mary Hamilton Dundas, is buried opposite him. Their son, the seventh Viscount, is only mentioned briefly on their monument.

List of Viscounts Melville (1802)

The Melville Monument in St. Andrew Square, Edinburgh. It was built in 1821 to remember Henry Dundas, the first Viscount Melville.

Here is a list of the people who have held the title of Viscount Melville:

• Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville (1742–1811)
• Robert Saunders–Dundas, 2nd Viscount Melville (1771–1851) – He was the son of the 1st Viscount.
• Henry Dundas, 3rd Viscount Melville (1801–1876) – He was the son of the 2nd Viscount.
• Robert Dundas, 4th Viscount Melville (1803–1886) – He was the son of the 2nd Viscount and brother of the 3rd.
• Robert Dundas, 5th Viscount Melville (1835–1904) – He was the nephew of the 2nd Viscount.
• Charles Saunders Dundas, 6th Viscount Melville (1843–1926) – He was the brother of the 5th Viscount.
• Henry Charles Clement Dundas, 7th Viscount Melville (1873–1935) – He was the son of the 6th Viscount.
• Henry Charles Patric Brouncker Dundas, 8th Viscount Melville (1909–1971) – He was the son of the 7th Viscount.
• Robert David Ross Dundas, 9th Viscount Melville (1937–2011) – He was the nephew of the 8th Viscount.
• Robert Henry Kirkpatrick Dundas, 10th Viscount Melville (born 1984) – He is the son of the 9th Viscount.

The person who is expected to inherit the title next is the current Viscount's son, Hon. Max David Henry Dundas. He was born in 2018.

Arms of Viscount Melville

Crest A lion's head affronteé Gules struggling through an oak bush all Proper. Escutcheon Argent a lion rampant Gules within a bordure Azure charged with three boars' heads couped Or two in chief and one in base. Supporters Dexter a leopard reguardant, sinister a stag, both Proper. Motto Essayez (top); Quod Potui Perfecti (bottom)

See also

• Dunira, Perthshire