John Douglas (Royal Marines officer)

Last updated

Sir John Douglas (died 4 March 1814) was a British officer of the Royal Marines who, with his wife Charlotte, Lady Douglas, was involved in a scandal regarding an allegedly illegitimate child born to the Princess of Wales, Caroline of Brunswick.

Contents

Life

Douglas was born at Jean Fields, Dalkeith, near Edinburgh; he was the son of Louis Douglas, Esq.; his grandfather was a lord of Session. [1] He began his military service at age 13. [2] Commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Royal Marines on 14 February 1776, he was promoted to first lieutenant on 9 April 1778. [3] While serving as on recruitment duties in Gloucester, he met Charlotte Hopkinson, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel George Caesar Hopkinson, late of the 15th Dragoons. [4] Her family were acquaintances of antiquarian Samuel Lysons. [5] Colonel Hopkinson bought the estate of Wotton in 1790. [6]

A captain, 29 April 1783, Douglas became major in the Army, 1 March 1794. [3] He married 17 June 1797, at Gloucester, to Charlotte, [7] daughter of a private soldier, named Hephinson or Hopkinson, who was soon made a Sergeant; later becoming an army agent and subsequently became a colonel, wealthy with an estate near Gloucester. [1] He was promoted to lieutenant-colonel in the Army, 1 January 1798 [3]

Mentioned in dispatches by Sydney Smith for actions at Acre (as temporary Colonel), [8] Douglas commanded British marines and Ottoman forces at the retaking of El-Arish. [9] [10]

He was knighted on 2 April 1800, [11] Equerry to Duke of Sussex 15 September 1802. [12] Promotion followed as Major and Captain Royal Marines, 19 July 1803, and Lieutenant-Colonel Royal Marines, 15 August 1805, [3] and promoted Colonel in the Army, 25 April 1808. [3] On 4 June 1811 he was promoted from Colonel to Major-General in the Army. [3] [13]

The Delicate Investigation

Satirical cartoon showing Sir John and Lady Douglas being led to the pillory outside Montagu House, Blackheath, after being discredited in giving evidence against Queen Caroline. Anticipations for the Pillory.jpg
Satirical cartoon showing Sir John and Lady Douglas being led to the pillory outside Montagu House, Blackheath, after being discredited in giving evidence against Queen Caroline.

Douglas lived in Greenwich, near to Montagu House, Blackheath, the location of alleged affairs between Queen Caroline and various lovers, investigated as part of "The Delicate Investigation" in 1806. Douglas and his wife Charlotte gave testimony to the investigation. Lady Douglas had been Caroline's companion, living for a time at Montagu House [14] before their friendship broke down, and rumours about scandalous events at the house began to circulate; Lady Douglas alleged that Caroline had admitted to having had an illegitimate child, William Austin. The investigation cleared Caroline of adultery (and poured doubt on the Douglas's testimony) but questioned other aspects of Caroline's behaviour. However, public sympathy tended to side with Caroline; an 1813 cartoon following the "Delicate Investigation" showed the ridiculed Sir John and Lady Douglas being led to a pillory erected outside Montagu House. [15]

More details about the Delicate Investigation from The Book of Spencer Perceval [16]

Death

Sir John Douglas died at Maze Hill on 4 March 1814. According to The Gentleman's Magazine, "his death was occasioned by a complaint (from which he was never since been free) contracted whilst serving with the Turkish Army in the Deserts of El Arish, arising from the quantity of sand in the water which the army was constrained to use, in consequence of the Enemy having possession of the wells". His coffin, decorated with the flag under which he served at Acre and the sword of the French commandant who surrendered at El Arish, was transported in grand procession for burial at Charlton church on 11 March. [2] A book of Verses to the Memory of Sir John Douglas was published, dedicated by permission to his widow. [17]

Related Research Articles

Major Ronald Ivor Ferguson was a polo manager, initially to the Duke of Edinburgh and later, for many years, to then Charles, Prince of Wales. His daughter, Sarah, Duchess of York, is the former wife of the Duke of York. He was the maternal grandfather of princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henry Paget, 1st Marquess of Anglesey</span> British peer, Lord lieutenant and politician

Henry William Paget, 1st Marquess of Anglesey, styled Lord Paget between 1784 and 1812 and known as the Earl of Uxbridge between 1812 and 1815, was a British Army officer and politician. After serving as a member of parliament for Carnarvon and then for Milborne Port, he took part in the Flanders Campaign and then commanded the cavalry for Sir John Moore's army in Spain during the Peninsular War; his cavalry showed distinct superiority over their French counterparts at the Battle of Sahagún and at the Battle of Benavente, where he defeated the elite chasseurs of the French Imperial Guard. During the Hundred Days he led the charge of the heavy cavalry against Comte d'Erlon's column at the Battle of Waterloo. At the end of the battle, he lost part of one leg to a cannonball. In later life he served twice as Master-General of the Ordnance and twice as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henry Scott, 3rd Duke of Buccleuch</span> 18th/19th-century Scottish noble

Henry Scott, 3rd Duke of Buccleuch and 5th Duke of Queensberry KG FRSE was a Scottish nobleman and long-time friend of Sir Walter Scott. He is the paternal 3rd great-grandfather of Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, and the maternal 4th great-grandfather of Prince William of Gloucester and Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henry Lascelles, 3rd Earl of Harewood</span> British peer and Member of Parliament

Henry Lascelles, 3rd Earl of Harewood DL, known as Viscount Lascelles from 1839 to 1841, was a British peer and Member of Parliament.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles Montagu-Scott, 4th Duke of Buccleuch</span> English politician and cricketer

Charles William Henry Montagu-Scott, 4th Duke of Buccleuch and 6th Duke of Queensberry, KT, styled Earl of Dalkeith until 1812, was a British landowner, amateur cricketer and Tory politician.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William Montagu Douglas Scott, 6th Duke of Buccleuch</span> Scottish politician and peer (1831–1914)

William Henry Walter Montagu Douglas Scott, 6th Duke of Buccleuch and 8th Duke of Queensberry, was a Scottish Member of Parliament and peer. He was the paternal grandfather of Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, as well as a maternal great-grandfather of Prince William of Gloucester and Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester, and a great-great-grandfather of Sarah, Duchess of York.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Hay, 7th Marquess of Tweeddale</span> Scottish peer

George Hay, 7th Marquess of Tweeddale DL was a Scottish peer and naval officer.

Lieutenant-Colonel Lord William Walter Montagu Douglas Scott was a British aristocrat and politician.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenneth Howard, 1st Earl of Effingham</span> British army officer and peer

Kenneth Alexander Howard, 1st Earl of Effingham, was a British Army officer and peer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas Brudenell-Bruce, 1st Earl of Ailesbury</span> British courtier

Thomas Brudenell-Bruce, 1st Earl of Ailesbury, KT, styled The Honourable Thomas Brudenell until 1747 and known as The Lord Bruce of Tottenham between 1747 and 1776, was a British courtier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles Douglas, 6th Marquess of Queensberry</span> Scottish peer

Charles Douglas, 6th Marquess of Queensberry,, known as Sir Charles Douglas, 5th Baronet between 1783 and 1810, was a Scottish peer and member of Clan Douglas.

Lieutenant Colonel Lord Herbert Andrew Montagu Douglas Scott, was the fifth child born to William Henry Walter Montagu Douglas Scott, 6th Duke of Buccleuch & 8th Duke of Queensberry and Louisa Montagu Douglas Scott, Duchess of Buccleuch and Queensberry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Montagu Douglas Scott, 7th Duke of Buccleuch</span> Scottish politician

John Charles Montagu Douglas Scott, 7th Duke of Buccleuch and 9th Duke of Queensberry,, styled The Honourable John Montagu Douglas Scott until 1884, Lord John Montagu Douglas Scott between 1884 and 1886 and Earl of Dalkeith until 1914 was a British Member of Parliament and peer. He was the father of Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, and the maternal grandfather of Prince William of Gloucester, and Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Stewart, 8th Earl of Galloway</span> British naval commander and politician

Admiral George Stewart, 8th Earl of Galloway,, styled Lord Garlies between 1773 and 1806, was a British naval commander and politician.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexander Hope (British Army officer)</span> British Army general (1769–1837)

General Sir Alexander Hope GCB was a British Army officer and the last Governor of the Royal Military College while it was at Great Marlow and the first Governor after its move to Sandhurst.

James Johnston was a general of the British Army, colonel of the Royal Horse Guards then colonel of the Scots Greys where he succeeded his sister's husband, George Preston.

James Fox-Lane, known as James Fox until 1773, was an English landed gentleman, who represented Horsham in Parliament for six years.

Lieutenant-General Francis D'Oyly (c.1750–1803) was a British Army officer.

Lord George William Montagu Douglas Scott, was a Scottish cricketer and soldier who was the third son of William Montagu Douglas Scott, 6th Duke of Buccleuch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Montagu House, Blackheath</span> Demolished residence in London

Montagu House was a prominent residence situated near to the southwest corner of Greenwich Park, overlooking the common at Blackheath in what is today southeast London. Adjacent to the Ranger's House, it was the royal residence of Caroline of Brunswick before being demolished in 1815.

References

  1. 1 2 Memoirs of Her Majesty Queen Caroline Amelia Elizabeth, Consort of George Iv, King of Great Britain, Volume 2
  2. 1 2 The Gentleman's Magazine , volume LXXXIV, part 1 (London, 1814) pages 413-414
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 The Army Lists for 1777-1814, available online at National Archives WO65
  4. ↑ Huish, Robert (1875) [first published in 2 vols London, 1830]. Memoirs of George the Fourth (library ed.). New York. p.  270.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  5. ↑ Farington, Joseph (1927). Grieg, James (ed.). The Farington Diary. Vol.  8. New York. p. 157.{{cite book}}: External link in |volume= (help)CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  6. ↑ N.M. Herbert, ed. (1988). "Gloucester: Outlying hamlets". A History of the County of Gloucester: Volume 4: The City of Gloucester. Institute of Historical Research.
  7. ↑ The Gentleman's Magazine. A. Dodd and A. Smith. 1797.
  8. ↑ "No. 15164". The London Gazette . 3 August 1799. p. 765.
  9. ↑ "No. 15242". The London Gazette . 29 March 1800. p. 295.
  10. ↑ James, William (1902) [1837]. The naval history of Great Britain (1797–1800). Vol. 2 (New six volume ed.). London: Macmillan. p. 305.
  11. ↑ "No. 15244". The London Gazette . 5 April 1800. p. 322.
  12. ↑ "No. 15515". The London Gazette . 18 September 1802. p. 982.
  13. ↑ "No. 16492". The London Gazette . 4 June 1811. p. 1028.
  14. ↑ Bloy, Marjorie. "The Queen Caroline Affair, 1820". The Web of History. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  15. ↑ "Anticipations for the Pillory". British Museum. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  16. ↑ Cobbett, William (20 March 1813), Cobbett's Political Register, 23 (12): 353{{citation}}: External link in |volume= (help); Missing or empty |title= (help)
  17. ↑ Douglas, John (1814). Verses to the memory of Sir John Douglas.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.