Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Dundas, Charles
DUNDAS, CHARLES, Baron Amesbury (1751–1832), born 5 Aug. 1751, was younger son of Thomas Dundas of Fingask, M. P. for Orkney and Shetland 1768-71, and a commissioner of police in Scotland 31 Jan. 1771, who died 16 April 1786. His mother was his father's second wife, Janet, daughter of Charles Maitland, sixth earl of Lauderdale. He was called to the bar, but devoted himself to a political life. He first sat for the borough of Richmond in 1774, then for Orkney and Shetland (1781-4), again for Richmond, and finally for Berkshire, which he represented in ten successive parliaments (1794-1832). He was finally the second eldest member in the house. Dundas was a liberal in politics. In 1802, on the resignation of Mitford (afterwards Lord Redesdale), the then speaker, he was nominated by Sheridan as his successor in opposition to Abbot. He, however, withdrew from the contest. Dundas was counsellor of state for Scotland to the Prince of Wales, and colonel of the White Horse volunteer cavalry.
Dundas was twice married. His first wife, Anne, daughter of Ralph Whitley of Aston Hall, Flintshire, by whom he had one daughter, Janet, wife of Sir James Whitley Deans Dundas [q. v.], brought him the considerable estate of Kentbury-Amesbury, Wiltshire, and other property. His second wife, whom he married on 25 Jan. 1822, was his cousin, Margaret, daughter of Charles Barclay, and widow of (1) Charles Ogilvy, and (2) Major Archibald Erskine. Dundas was made a peer as Lord Amesbury by letters patent 11 May 1832. He died 7 July 1832 at his residence in Pimlico, whereupon the title became extinct. Lady Amesbury died 14 April 1841.
[Gent. Mag. August 1832; Burke's Dormant and Extinct Peerages (1883), pp. 183-4; Addit. MS. 2867, ff. 164, 166; Foster's Members of Parliament (Scotland).]