Dundas, Robert., 1771-1851

Henry Dundas (1742-1811), was born in Edinburgh into an influential legal family. He was the fourth son of Robert Dundas (1685-1753), Lord President of the Court of Session.

Dundas entered the Faculty of Advocates in 1763, but gradually turned away from the legal profession to pursue a political career. He went on to hold a number of influential positions: Solicitor-General for Scotland (1766); MP for Midlothian (1774-1790); Lord Advocate (1775-1783); Privy Councillor and Treasurer of the Navy (1782-1783 and 1784-1800); Keeper of the Scottish Signet (1782); MP for Edinburgh (1790-1802); President of the Board of Control (1793-1801); First Lord of the Admiralty (1804-1805).

In 1791, Dundas entered the Cabinet as Secretary of State for the Home Department, a position held until 1794 when he became War Secretary under Pitt the Younger (1794-1801). Ultimately, such was his political power that he was nicknamed 'the uncrowned King of Scotland' .

In 1802 Dundas was elevated to the peerage as the first Viscount Melville of Melville and Baron Dunira, but his career was eventually ruined by an investigation into the financial affairs of the Navy. In 1806 he was impeached by the House of Lords for the misappropriation of public money. Although it ended in an acquittal, the damage was done and he never again held office. An earldom was offered in 1809 but declined.

Robert Dundas (1771-1851) was Henry Dundas's only son. He followed in his father's footsteps, initially pursuing a career in the law, and later in politics.

Dundas served as MP for Hastings (1794), Rye (1796) and Midlothian (1801). From 1800, he was Keeper of the Signet of Scotland. He became a Privy Counsellor in 1807 and was made President of the Board of Control in the same year.

In 1811, Dundas succeeded his father as the 2nd Viscount Melville and also became Lord Privy Seal in Scotland. The following year, again following his father, he was appointed First Lord of the Admiralty, a position he held from 1812 to 1827, and from 1828 to 1830.

From 1814, Dundas also served as Chancellor of the University of St Andrews and was made a Knight of the Thistle in 1821. He died in Edinburgh in 1851.

From the guide to the Correspondence of Henry and Robert Dundas (First and Second Viscounts Melville), 1777-1849, (Lloyds Banking Group Archives (Edinburgh))