Lord Charles Somerset

Lord Charles Somerset PC
Governor of the Cape Colony
In office 1814–1826
Monarch	George III George IV
Preceded by	John Cradock
Succeeded by	Richard Bourke (acting)
Personal details
Born	12 December 1767 (1767-12-12)
Died	18 February 1831 (1831-02-19)
Nationality	British
Spouse(s)	(1) Lady Elizabeth Courtenay (d. 1815) Lady Mary Poulett (1788-1860)

General Lord Charles Henry Somerset PC (12 December 1767 – 18 February 1831), born in Badminton, England, was a British soldier, politician and colonial administrator.^[1][2] He was governor of the Cape Colony, South Africa, from 1814 to 1826.

Background

Somerset was the second son of Henry Somerset, 5th Duke of Beaufort, and Elizabeth, daughter of Admiral the Hon. Edward Boscawen. He was the brother of Henry Somerset, 6th Duke of Beaufort, General Lord Edward Somerset, Lord Arthur Somerset and Field Marshal FitzRoy Somerset, 1st Baron Raglan.^[1]

Political career

Somerset sat as Member of Parliament for Scarborough between 1796 and 1802 and for Monmouth Boroughs between 1802 and 1813. He served as Comptroller of the Household between 1797 and 1804 and as Joint Paymaster of the Forces between 1804 and 1806 and 1807 and 1813 and was sworn of the Privy Council on 26 April 1797. In 1814 he was appointed Governor of the Cape Colony, a post he held until 1826. The towns of Somerset West and Somerset East in South Africa are named after him.

Family

Somerset married firstly Lady Elizabeth Courtenay ^[3] (2 September 1766 – 11 September 1815), on 7 June 1788, following their elopement. She was the daughter of the 8th Earl of Devon.^[1] They had six children:

1. Hon. Elizabeth Somerset (October 1790 – 1872), married General the Hon. Sir Henry Wyndham (1790–1860) in July 1812
2. Hon. Mary Georgiana Somerset (February 1793 – 19 May 1856), married Lt-Col. Stirling Freeman Glover on 25 June 1833
3. Lieutenant-General Hon. Sir Henry Somerset (1794–1862)
4. Hon. Charlotte Augusta Somerset (2 January 1799 – 17 March 1864), married Herbert Cornewoll in May 1822
5. Lieutenant-Colonel Hon. Charles Henry Somerset (24 September 1800 – 28 May 1835)
6. Reverend Hon. Villiers Somerset (12 February 1803 – 3 February 1855), married Frances Dorothy Ley on 8 August 1844 and had issue

After the death of Lady Elizabeth, he married secondly Lady Mary Poulett, daughter of the 4th Earl Poulett, on 9 August 1821.^[1] They had three children:

1. Hon. Colonel Poulett Somerset (1822–1875)
2. Hon. Mary Sophia Somerset (20 May 1823 – 11 November 1869)
3. Hon. Augusta Anne Somerset (21 April 1824 – 27 December 1881), married Sir Henry Barron, 1st Baronet on 1 August 1863.

Somerset died in February 1831, aged 63. His second wife died in June 1860, aged 72.

References

External links

• Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by Lord Charles Somerset

Governors of the Cape Colony British occupation 1806–1814 David Baird Henry George Grey Du Pre Alexander Henry George Grey John Francis Cradock Robert Meade British colony 1814–1910 Charles Somerset Rufane Shaw Donkin Richard Bourke Galbraith Lowry Cole Thomas Francis Wade Benjamin D'Urban George Thomas Napier Peregrine Maitland Henry Pottinger Harry Smith George Cathcart Charles Henry Darling George Grey Robert Henry Wynyard Philip Edmond Wodehouse Charles Craufurd Hay Henry Barkly Henry Bartle Frere Henry Hugh Clifford George Cumine Strahan Hercules Robinson Leicester Smyth Henry D'Oyley Torrens Henry Augustus Smyth Henry Brougham Loch William Gordon Cameron Hercules Robinson William Howley Goodenough Alfred Milner William Francis Butler Walter Hely-Hutchinson Henry Jenner Scobell Those in italics were Acting Governors State President of the South African Republic State President of the Orange Free State Prime Minister of the Cape Colony Prime Minister of Natal