A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Leslie-Melville, David
LEVEN AND MELVILLE, Earl of, formerly Viscount Balgonie. (Rear-Admiral, 1846.)
The Right Honourable David Earl of Leven and Melville, born 22 June, 1785, is eldest son (by Jane, daughter of John Thornton, Esq., of London) of the late Earl, whom he succeeded, as eighth Earl of Leven and seventh Earl of Melville, 22 Feb. 1820.
This officer attained the rank of Lieutenant 8 Aug. 1806; and, while attached to the Ville de Paris 110, bearing the flag of Lord Collingwood, was mentioned for his conduct in her boats with those of a squadron under Lieut. John Tailour, at the capture and destruction, on the night of 31 Oct. 1809, of the French armed store-ship Lamproie of 16 guns and 116 men, bombards Victoire and Grondeur, armed xebec Normande, and seven merchant-vessels, defended by numerous strong batteries in the Bay of Rosas, after a desperate struggle, and a loss to the British of 15 killed and 85 wounded.[1] Although not aware, we believe, of the circumstance, his Lordship had been awarded a second promotal commission on 16 of the preceding Sept. He was posted,after having for some time had command of the Delight sloop in the Mediterranean, 28 Feb. 1812; and advanced to his present rank 1 Oct. 1846.
The Earl married, 21 June, 1824, Elizabeth Anne, daughter of Sir Archd. Campbell, Bart., by whom he has issue three sons and four daughters.
- ↑ Vide Gaz. 1809, p. 1907.