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STUART, Hon. Evelyn James (1773-1842), of Cardiff Castle, Glam.
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Biography Detail
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Family and Education
b. 7 May 1773, 3rd s. of John Stuart†, 4th Earl of Bute [S] (cr. Mq. of Bute 1796), by 1st w. Charlotte Jane, da. and event. h. of Herbert Hickman Windsor, 2nd Visct. Windsor [I]; bro. of Hon. John Stuart* and Lord William Stuart*. educ. ?Eton 1787-8. unm. Styled Ld. Evelyn James Stuart 1796-d.
Offices Held
Ensign, 6 Ft. 1789; lt. and capt. army, 1791, 1 Ft. Gds. 1793; lt.-col. 21 Ft. 1797; lt. gov. Fort Augustus 1800; lt.-col. 52 Ft. 1802, col. 1805, ret. 1806.
Biography
Stuart succeeded to his deceased elder brother’s seat in 1794 on the family interest. He was a few months short of his majority and his father informed Pitt, 25 Feb., that his son
being now ordered on the recruiting service, I hardly think it worth while, unless you desire it, that he should take his seat. I mention this because my positive directions are given that he should support you. Permit me to ask the favour of your sentiments: and further to request that you will listen to his recommendations of the several offices, as well in the Welsh boroughs, as those of Rothesay.1
Stuart presumably gave a silent support to Pitt when his military duties permitted him to attend, which was probably not often as he served abroad. In 1802, therefore, he made way for his younger brother William, resuming the seat on the latter’s death in 1814. On that occasion he justified his inability to attend when he was previously Member, as if he intended to discharge his duty, but ill health apparently kept him away and a Cardiff critic alleged that he had not even taken his seat and that ‘for aught that concerns our welfare, the chief of the court of Pekin might as well profess to represent us’.2 In 1818 he retired in favour of his nephew, then of age, having been a mere nominal tenant of the seat for his family. He died 16 Aug. 1842.
