Name Lawrence 1st Role Politician | Died February 19, 1839 Spouse Harriot Hale | |
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Parents Lady Charlotte Fitzwilliam Children Thomas Dundas, 2nd Earl of Zetland, John Dundas Siblings Frances Laura Dundas, William Lawrence Dundas Education Harrow School, Trinity College, Cambridge | ||
Lawrence Dundas, 1st Earl of Zetland (10 April 1766 – 19 February 1839) was a British politician and nobleman.
Biography
Born in Westminster, the son of Thomas Dundas, 1st Baron Dundas, he was educated at Harrow and Trinity College, Cambridge.
He was elected Whig Member of Parliament for Richmond, North Yorkshire in 1790. Twelve years later he exchanged this seat for that of York, and in 1808 returned to Westminster as representative for his old Richmond seat. In 1811 he was again elected MP for York, and became Lord Mayor of the city that same year, having been an alderman since 1808. He was Lord Mayor a second time in 1821.
He married Harriet Hale, one of the twenty-one children of General John Hale and his wife Mary Chaloner, by whom he had three sons and four daughters. She died in 1834.
In 1820 Dundas succeeded his father as second Baron Dundas and as a baronet. He was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Orkney and Shetland in 1831, and in 1838, on the occasion of the coronation of Queen Victoria, he was created Earl of Zetland (i.e. Shetland) for having provided financial assistance to the new Queen's parents, the Duke & Duchess of Kent, in the years preceding her accession.
He died suddenly the following year at his home of Aske Hall, Yorkshire. He was succeeded by his eldest son Thomas Dundas, 2nd Earl of Zetland.