Lieutenant-General
Lieutenant general (Lt Gen, LTG and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages, where the title of lieutenant general was held by the second-in-command on the battlefield, who was normall ...
Sir Charles Stuart (January 1753 – 25 May 1801) was a
British Army
The British Army is the principal Army, land warfare force of the United Kingdom. the British Army comprises 73,847 regular full-time personnel, 4,127 Brigade of Gurkhas, Gurkhas, 25,742 Army Reserve (United Kingdom), volunteer reserve perso ...
officer and politician. The fourth son of
John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute
John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute (; 25 May 1713 – 10 March 1792), styled Lord Mount Stuart between 1713 and 1723, was a British Tory statesman who served as the Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1762 to 1763 under George III. He became the ...
and
Mary Stuart, Countess of Bute
Mary Stuart, Countess of Bute, 1st Baroness Mount Stuart (; 19 January 1718 – 6 November 1794) was the wife of British nobleman John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute, who served as Prime Minister from 1762 to 1763.
Life and family
Lady Bute was bor ...
, he was born in
Kenwood House
Kenwood House (also known as the Iveagh Bequest) is a stately home in Hampstead, London, on the northern boundary of Hampstead Heath. The present house, built in the late 17th century, was remodelled in the 18th century for William Murray, 1st E ...
,
London
London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...
.
There is a famous painting in the Tate Gallery, London, of him aged 10 stealing eggs and chicks from a bird's nest.
Military career
Early career
Stuart embarked upon a military career in 1768, when he enlisted as an
ensign
Ensign most often refers to:
* Ensign (flag), a flag flown on a vessel to indicate nationality
* Ensign (rank), a navy (and former army) officer rank
Ensign or The Ensign may also refer to:
Places
* Ensign, Alberta, Alberta, Canada
* Ensign, Ka ...
in the
37th Regiment of Foot
The 37th (North Hampshire) Regiment of Foot was a line infantry regiment of the British Army, raised in Ireland in February 1702. Under the Childers Reforms it amalgamated with the 67th (South Hampshire) Regiment of Foot to become the Hampshir ...
. He purchased a
lieutenancy in the
7th Regiment of Foot (Royal Fusiliers)
The Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) was a line infantry regiment of the British Army in continuous existence for 283 years. It was known as the 7th Regiment of Foot until the Childers Reforms of 1881.
The regiment served in many war ...
in 1770 and a
captaincy
A captaincy ( , , ) is a historical administrative division of the former Spanish colonies, Spanish and Portuguese colonies, Portuguese colonial empires. It was instituted as a method of organization, directly associated with the home-rule admin ...
in the
35th Foot in 1773. In October of that year, he became a
major
Major most commonly refers to:
* Major (rank), a military rank
* Academic major, an academic discipline to which an undergraduate student formally commits
* People named Major, including given names, surnames, nicknames
* Major and minor in musi ...
in the
43rd Regiment of Foot, and saw service in the
American War of Independence
The American Revolutionary War (April 19, 1775 – September 3, 1783), also known as the Revolutionary War or American War of Independence, was the armed conflict that comprised the final eight years of the broader American Revolution, in which Am ...
. In October 1777, he was commissioned as a
lieutenant-colonel of the
26th Regiment of Foot, which he commanded until 1779.
On a visit home to England, he married Anne Louisa Bertie, daughter of
Lord Vere Bertie, on 19 April 1778. He returned briefly to America, before coming back to
London
London is the Capital city, capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of both England and the United Kingdom, with a population of in . London metropolitan area, Its wider metropolitan area is the largest in Wester ...
as a liaison to the ministry. A harsh critic of the Army's conduct, he was, however, highly favored by
Sir Henry Clinton, with whom he corresponded regularly. His two sons were born after his return from America:
*
Charles Stuart, 1st Baron Stuart de Rothesay
Charles Stuart, 1st Baron Stuart de Rothesay, (2 January 1779 – 6 November 1845), known as Sir Charles Stuart between 1812 and 1828, was a British diplomat. He was twice Ambassador to France and also served as Ambassador to Russia between ...
(2 January 1779–6 November 1845)
*Captain John James Stuart (29 August 1782–19 March 1811), died aboard his command, the frigate . John James's son
Charles Stuart (1810–1892) was British Army general and MP.
He had several notable brothers and sisters, including
John Stuart, 1st Marquess of Bute (1744–1814); The Most Rev. and Hon.
William Stuart (1755–1822), a clergyman who became
Archbishop of Armagh
The Archbishop of Armagh is an Episcopal polity, archiepiscopal title which takes its name from the Episcopal see, see city of Armagh in Northern Ireland. Since the Reformation in Ireland, Reformation, there have been parallel apostolic success ...
, and
James Archibald Stuart
Colonel James Archibald Stuart, later Stuart-Wortley-Mackenzie (19 September 1747 – 1 March 1818), British politician and soldier, was the second son of John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute and his wife Mary Stuart, Countess of Bute.
On 8 June 1767 ...
(1747–1818), another soldier who raised the
92nd Foot
The 92nd (Gordon Highlanders) Regiment of Foot was a British Army infantry regiment, raised in 1794. Under the Childers Reforms it amalgamated with the 75th (Stirlingshire) Regiment of Foot to form the Gordon Highlanders in 1881.
History
Forma ...
in 1779. His sisters were
Lady Louisa Stuart (1757–1851), a writer who died unmarried, Lady Mary Stuart (c. 1741–1824), who married
James Lowther, later the 1st
Earl of Lonsdale
Earl of Lonsdale is a title that has been created twice in British history, firstly in the Peerage of Great Britain in 1784 (becoming extinct in 1802), and then in the Peerage of the United Kingdom in 1807, both times for members of the Lowth ...
; Lady Anne Stuart (born c. 1745), who married
Lord Warkworth, later the 2nd
Duke of Northumberland
Duke of Northumberland is a noble title that has been created three times in English and British history, twice in the Peerage of England and once in the Peerage of Great Britain. The current holder of this title is Ralph Percy, 12th Duke of N ...
; Lady Jane Stuart (c. 1748–1828), who married
George Macartney, later the first
Earl Macartney; and Lady Caroline Stuart (b. 1763–1813), who married The Hon. John Dawson, later first
Earl of Portarlington.
He was promoted to
colonel
Colonel ( ; abbreviated as Col., Col, or COL) is a senior military Officer (armed forces), officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations.
In the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, a colon ...
in 1782, but his criticisms and the disfavor of
George III
George III (George William Frederick; 4 June 173829 January 1820) was King of Great Britain and King of Ireland, Ireland from 25 October 1760 until his death in 1820. The Acts of Union 1800 unified Kingdom of Great Britain, Great Britain and ...
towards his father prevented further military commands. He had been elected MP for
Bossiney
Bossiney (, meaning ''Kyni's dwelling'') is a village in north Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It is north-east of the larger village of Tintagel which it adjoins: further north-east are the Rocky Valley and Trethevy. Until 1832 the village, ...
in 1776, succeeding his elder brother
Lord Mount Stuart, who had been created
Baron Cardiff. Stuart continued an MP for the remainder of his life, except the years 1794–1796, but showed little interest in politics.
In 1792, on the death of his father, he inherited the estate of
Highcliffe
Highcliffe or Highcliffe-on-Sea is a seaside town in the civil parish of Highcliffe and Walkford, in the unitary authorities of England, unitary authority area of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, in the ceremonial county of Dorset in Englan ...
House in
Hampshire
Hampshire (, ; abbreviated to Hants.) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in South East England. It is bordered by Berkshire to the north, Surrey and West Sussex to the east, the Isle of Wight across the Solent to the south, ...
.
With the opening of hostilities against France by the
First Coalition
The War of the First Coalition () was a set of wars that several European powers fought between 1792 and 1797, initially against the constitutional Kingdom of France and then the French Republic that succeeded it. They were only loosely allied ...
, he returned to active service. On 23 May 1794, he took command of the army in
Corsica
Corsica ( , , ; ; ) is an island in the Mediterranean Sea and one of the Regions of France, 18 regions of France. It is the List of islands in the Mediterranean#By area, fourth-largest island in the Mediterranean and lies southeast of the Metro ...
, and supervised the taking of
Calvi (the action in which
Horatio Nelson
Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, 1st Duke of Bronte ( – 21 October 1805) was a Royal Navy officer whose leadership, grasp of strategy and unconventional tactics brought about a number of decisive British naval victories during the French ...
lost an eye). Colonel
John Moore was at the time his
adjutant general.
Stuart was promoted to
lieutenant-general
Lieutenant general (Lt Gen, LTG and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages, where the title of lieutenant general was held by the second-in-command on the battlefield, who was normall ...
for this action, and on 24 October 1794, was made colonel of the
68th Regiment of Foot
The 68th (Durham) Regiment of Foot (Light Infantry) was an infantry regiment of the British Army, raised in 1758. Under the Childers Reforms it amalgamated with the 106th Bombay Light Infantry to form the Durham Light Infantry in 1881, the 68t ...
.
However, his pride and violent temper led him to quarrel with
Lord Hood, commanding the Mediterranean Fleet, and with the civilian viceroy of Corsica,
Sir Gilbert Elliot, Bt. His partiality for
Pasquale Paoli
Filippo Antonio Pasquale de' Paoli (; or ; ; 6 April 1725 – 5 February 1807) was a Corsican patriot, statesman, and military leader who was at the forefront of resistance movements against the Republic of Genoa, Genoese and later Kingd ...
against Elliot, and other conflicts, led Stuart to resign in February 1795.
On 25 March 1795, he left the colonelcy of the 68th for that of the
26th Regiment of Foot, which he held for the remainder of his life.
Defence of Portugal
He took command of a force sent to
Portugal
Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic, is a country on the Iberian Peninsula in Southwestern Europe. Featuring Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point in continental Europe, Portugal borders Spain to its north and east, with which it share ...
in January 1797 to defend
Lisbon
Lisbon ( ; ) is the capital and largest city of Portugal, with an estimated population of 567,131, as of 2023, within its administrative limits and 3,028,000 within the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, metropolis, as of 2025. Lisbon is mainlan ...
, and was notably successful in instilling discipline and spirit into the force, which was partly foreign in composition.
Capture of Menorca
In 1798, he was sent to attack
Menorca
Menorca or Minorca (from , later ''Minorica'') is one of the Balearic Islands located in the Mediterranean Sea belonging to Spain. Its name derives from its size, contrasting it with nearby Mallorca. Its capital is Maó, situated on the isl ...
(historically called "Minorca" by the British) with 3,000 men, an appointment heartily approved by
Lord St Vincent, who praised Stuart as an excellent general and inspiring leader of troops. Though unequipped with siege artillery, he successfully dissimulated and bluffed the Spaniards into surrendering the island without loss of life, an exploit for which he was made a
Knight of the Bath
The Most Honourable Order of the Bath is a British order of chivalry founded by King George I of Great Britain, George I on 18 May 1725. Recipients of the Order are usually senior British Armed Forces, military officers or senior Civil Service ...
. From 15 November 1798 until 1800, he served as the British governor of the island. In March 1799, he responded to an appeal by Admiral Nelson (who, like St Vincent, thought him an excellent leader), and brought the
30th and
89th Regiments under
Colonel Blayney to
Palermo
Palermo ( ; ; , locally also or ) is a city in southern Italy, the capital (political), capital of both the autonomous area, autonomous region of Sicily and the Metropolitan City of Palermo, the city's surrounding metropolitan province. The ...
, from whence they were dispatched to secure
Messina
Messina ( , ; ; ; ) is a harbour city and the capital city, capital of the Italian Metropolitan City of Messina. It is the third largest city on the island of Sicily, and the 13th largest city in Italy, with a population of 216,918 inhabitants ...
against French invasion.
Death and memorials
In April 1800 he resigned as governor of Menorca and returned to England. He was then offered the post of
Commander-in-Chief, Ireland
Commander-in-Chief, Ireland, was title of the commander of the British forces in Ireland before 1922. Until the Act of Union in 1800, the position involved command of the distinct Irish Army of the Kingdom of Ireland.
History Marshal of Ireland
...
, but died at his home in
Richmond Park
Richmond Park, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, is the largest of Royal Parks of London, London's Royal Parks and is of national and international importance for wildlife conservation. It was created by Charles I of England, Cha ...
on 25 March 1801 before he could accept. He was buried in the family vault at
St Peter's Church, Petersham
St Peter's Church is the parish church of the village of Petersham, London, Petersham in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. It is part of the Anglican Diocese of Southwark, Diocese of Southwark in the Church of England. The main body o ...
. There are monuments to Stuart in
Westminster Abbey
Westminster Abbey, formally titled the Collegiate Church of Saint Peter at Westminster, is an Anglican church in the City of Westminster, London, England. Since 1066, it has been the location of the coronations of 40 English and British m ...
, this by
Joseph Nollekens
Joseph Nollekens R.A. (11 August 1737 – 23 April 1823) was a sculptor from London generally considered to be the finest British sculptor of the late 18th century.
Life
Nollekens was born on 11 August 1737 at 28 Dean Street, Soho, London, ...
,
and in St Peter's Church.
[See photo: memorial to Sir Charles Stuart]
An able general and administrator, Stuart's quarrelsome disposition and tendency toward insubordination blighted an otherwise promising military career.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Stuart, Charles
1753 births
1801 deaths
Military personnel from the London Borough of Camden
People from Hampstead
British Army lieutenant generals
British Army personnel of the American Revolutionary War
British Army personnel of the French Revolutionary Wars
Knights Companion of the Order of the Bath
Children of prime ministers of Great Britain
Younger sons of earls
Younger sons of barons
37th Regiment of Foot officers
68th Regiment of Foot officers
Royal Fusiliers officers
Cameronians officers
Members of the Parliament of Great Britain for constituencies in Cornwall
Charles
Charles is a masculine given name predominantly found in English language, English and French language, French speaking countries. It is from the French form ''Charles'' of the Proto-Germanic, Proto-Germanic name (in runic alphabet) or ''* ...
Members of the Parliament of Great Britain for Scottish constituencies
Members of the Parliament of Great Britain for Poole
Members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom for Poole
British MPs 1774–1780
British MPs 1780–1784
British MPs 1784–1790
British MPs 1790–1796
British MPs 1796–1800
UK MPs 1801–1802
Burials at St Peter's, Petersham