The correspondence consists of a copy of a letter to Jeffrey Amherst, Baron Amherst, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, 5 September 1794, and letters to Sir J. Wentworth about the defence of Nova Scotia, 1795, and including a certificate and statement about events in Nova Scotia, 1794-1795.
Correspondence of Prince Edward Augustus, Duke of Kent and Strathearn (1767-1820)
This material is held atEdinburgh University Library Heritage Collections
- Reference
- GB 237 Coll-391
- Dates of Creation
- 1794-1811
- Language of Material
- English.
- Physical Description
- 9 manuscript documents.
Scope and Content
Administrative / Biographical History
Edward Augustus was born on 2 November 1767 at Buckingham House (now Buckingham Palace). He was the fourth son of King George III and Queen Charlotte, and the younger brother of the Duke of Clarence, later King William IV. He was educated in England, Luneburg, Hanover, and Geneva - his time in continental Europe under military service. In 1790 he was sent to Gibraltar to command the 7th Foot Regiment, Royal Fusiliers, but proved to be unpopular with his men. In 1791 he was sent to Canada, and in 1793 to the West Indies operating against Martinique and St. Lucia. He returned to Britain in 1798. On 23 April 1799 Edward Augustus became Duke of Kent and Strathearn, and Earl of Dublin. In May 1799 he rose to the rank of General and on 17 May was made Commander-in-Chief of forces in British North America - in Canada. In autumn the following year he returned to Britain in ill-health. In 1802 he was appointed Governor of Gibraltar, and in 1805 he became a Field-Marshall. In 1818 he was married to Princess Victoria Mary Louisa (1786-1861), the young widow of Prince Emich Charles of Leiningen-Dachsburg-Hardenburg. The marriage took place at Coburg on 29 May 1818, and was repeated at Kew on 13 July. The following year on 24 May 1819 their only child - a girl - was born at Kensington Palace. Edward Augustus, Duke of Kent and Strathearn, died at Sidmouth on 23 January 1820. He was buried in St. George's Chapel, Windsor, on 11 February 1820. His daughter, Alexandrina Victoria, ascended the throne as Queen Victoria in 1837.
Access Information
Generally open for consultation to bona fide researchers, but please contact repository for details in advance.
Note
The biographical/administrative history was compiled using the following material: (1) Lee, Sidney (ed.). Dictionary of national biography. Vol. 11. Kennett-Lluelyn. London: Smith, Elder and Co., 1909.
Compiled by Graeme D Eddie, Edinburgh University Library, Special Collections Division.
Other Finding Aids
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Accruals
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