Francis Charteris, 10th Earl of Wemyss

Francis Richard Charteris, 10th Earl of Wemyss and 6th Earl of March GCVO DL (pronounced weems, rhyming with seems) (4 August 1818 – 30 June 1914), styled as Lord Elcho between 1853 and 1883, was a British Whig politician. He founded the Liberty and Property Defence League.

Early life

He was the eldest son and heir of Francis Wemyss-Charteris, 9th Earl of Wemyss and Lady Louisa Bingham. Among his siblings was younger brother Richard Charteris (who married Lady Margaret Butler, a daughter of Richard Butler, 2nd Earl of Glengall) and sister Lady Louisa Wemyss-Charteris (wife of William Wells, MP for Beverley and Peterborough).

He was educated at Eton and graduated from Christ Church, Oxford with a B.A. degree.

Career As Lord Elcho he was commanding officer of the London Scottish Rifles Volunteers regiment for 17 years from its formation in 1859, gaining the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. He is credited with the design of the Elcho sword bayonet, which saw limited use in the Ashanti campaign of 1895-6.

Charteris was a member of the Canterbury Association from 27 March 1848, and belonged to the management committee.

He developed an interest in the alternative medical practice of Homeopathy, even becoming President of the London Homeopathic Hospital until his death. The strength of his belief is evidenced by his writing in March 1914:

I wish all success to Homoeopathy, to which I attach my physical well-being in great measure. When I was 90 I was asked to what I attributed my well-being at that late period of life. My answer was, "To parentage and moderation". I should have added "AND HOMOEOPATHY," with which I have been treated since I was 20.

Between 1836 and 1866, he was trustee of the National Portrait Gallery. Upon his father's death in 1883, he succeeded to the Earldom of Wemyss and March. Prior to then he was known as Lord Elcho. From 1881 to 1901, he was aide-de-camp to Queen Victoria, followed by aide-de-camp to King Edward VII from 1901 to 1910. He also held the office of Deputy Lieutenant of Haddington and Selkirk.

Personal life

On 29 August 1843, he married Lady Anne Frederica Anson, the second daughter of Thomas Anson, 1st Earl of Lichfield and the former Louisa Barbara Catherine Phillips (youngest daughter of Nathaniel Phillips of Slebech Hall). Together, they were the parents of six sons and three daughters, including: who married John Vesey, 4th Viscount de Vesci, in 1872.

Honours and legacy Charteris Bay in Lyttelton Harbour was chosen as a locality name to commemorate his role in the settlement of Canterbury in New Zealand.