William Edmonstone facts for kids
Sir William Edmonstone, 4th Baronet (born January 29, 1810 – died February 18, 1888) was an important Scottish figure. He was an Admiral in the Royal Navy, a courtier (someone who attended the royal court), and a politician. He also held the title of 14th of Duntreath.
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Life of Sir William
William Edmonstone was born in Hampton, England. He joined the Royal Navy when he was a teenager. He started as a midshipman, which is a junior officer rank. He served on a type of warship called a frigate, named HMS Sybelle. Later, he was promoted to Commodore, a senior naval rank.
Service to the Queen
After serving in West Africa, he returned home. He was chosen to be an Aide-de-Camp to Queen Victoria. This meant he was a personal assistant to the Queen. He also received an honor called the Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB).
Sir William then served as a Captain. He was the Superintendent of Woolwich Dockyard, which was a place where naval ships were built and repaired. On July 3, 1869, he was promoted to Rear-Admiral. This happened just before he retired from the Royal Navy, which was a common practice at the time.
Political Life
After his naval career, Sir William became a politician. He was elected as a Member of Parliament for Stirlingshire. He served in this role from 1874 to 1880. During this time, he lived at his family's home, Duntreath Castle, in Blanefield, Stirlingshire.
His Passing
Sir William Edmonstone passed away at his home in Edinburgh on February 18, 1888. His only surviving son, Archibald Edmonstone, took over his title as the next Baronet. Lady Edmonstone, his wife, died later in 1902.
Sir William's Family
Sir William Edmonstone married Mary Elizabeth Parsons on July 13, 1841. They were married in Zakynthos, Greece. At that time, the Ionian Islands, where Zakynthos is located, were protected by Britain.
Mary Elizabeth and Sir William had eleven children together. Nine of their children lived to be adults:
- Mary Emma Frances (1842–1847), who sadly died young.
- Archibald Edmonstone, who died as a baby. Their second son was given the same name.
- Jessie Edmondstone (born 1848, died 1937).
- Louisa Ann Edmonstone (born 1844, died 1921). She married Major General Henry Pipon, who was the Governor of the Tower of London.
- Charlotte Henrietta Edmonstone (died 1931).
- Frances Euphemia Edmonstone (born 1850, died 1921).
- Sophia Edmonstone (born 1852, died 1924).
- Susanna Emily Edmonstone (born 1855, died 1886).
- Mary Clementina Edmondstone (born 1857, died 1922). She married Andrew Graham Murray, who later became Viscount Dunedin.
- Sir Archibald Edmonstone of Duntreath, 5th Baronet (1867–1954).
- Alice Frederica Edmonstone (born 1868, died 1947). She was a well-known socialite in Britain.
