Robert Dundas, 2nd Viscount Melville
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Robert Dundas, 2nd Viscount Melville (March 14, 1771–June 10, 1851) was a British statesman, the son of Henry Dundas, the 1st Viscount.
Dundas was the Member of Parliament for Hastings in 1794, Rye in 1796 and Midlothian in 1801. He was also Keeper of the Signet for Scotland from 1800. He was appointed a Privy Counsellor in 1807 and a Knight of the Thistle in 1821, and was Chancellor of the University of St Andrews from 1814.
Melville filled various political offices and was First Lord of the Admiralty from 1812 to 1827, and from 1828 to 1830; his eldest son inherited his title.
His name is perpetuated by that of Melville Sound and Melville Island, Canada because of his interest in Arctic exploration. Melville Island in the Northern Territory of Australia was also named for him, by explorer Philip Parker King.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by: Thomas Grenville | President of the Board of Control 1807–1809 | Succeeded by: Dudley Ryder |
| Preceded by: Sir Arthur Wellesley | Chief Secretary for Ireland 1809 | Succeeded by: William Wellesley-Pole |
| Preceded by: Dudley Ryder | President of the Board of Control 1809–1812 | Succeeded by: Robert Hobart |
| Preceded by: Charles Philip Yorke | First Lord of the Admiralty 1812–1827 | Succeeded by: The Duke of Clarence (Lord High Admiral) |
| Preceded by: The Duke of Clarence (Lord High Admiral) | First Lord of the Admiralty 1828–1830 | Succeeded by: Sir James Graham, Bt |
| Honorary Titles | ||
| Preceded by: The Viscount Melville | Keeper of the Privy Seal of Scotland 1811–1851 | Succeeded by: Fox Maule Ramsay |
| Preceded by: The Duke of Cambridge | Chancellor of the University of St Andrews 1814–1851 | Succeeded by: The Duke of Argyll |
| Peerage of the United Kingdom | ||
| Preceded by: Henry Dundas | Viscount Melville 1811–1851 | Succeeded by: Henry Dundas |
