Lauderdale, Eighth Earl of [James Maitland] (1759–1839)

Abstract

Born into a Scottish aristocratic family, Lauderdale entered the House of Commons at the age of 21 as a supporter of the Liberal Whig leader Charles Fox. Following the death of his father, he entered the House of Lords in 1790, where he became known for his defence of civil liberties. After a visit to France in 1792 he publicly expressed sympathy for the ideals of the French Revolution and supported a motion in Parliament (1795) to make peace with the new government of France. In his middle years he swung over to the Tory side and adamantly opposed most economic and political reform measures, especially bills to protect labour (even one which would restrict the use of young children in cleaning chimney flues). His views covered the political spectrum: in 1792 he flirted with Jacobinism, becoming a founding member of the Friends of the People; 40 years later he worked against the Reform Bill of 1832. He died in 1839 at 80, a ripe age indeed for a man known for his apoplectic temper.