Henry Dundas
(1st Viscount Melville)

1742 - 1811

'The Uncrowned King of Scotland'. Dundas was born at Dalkeith into a family distinguished for its legal and political talent. The fourth son of Robert Dundas, the 3rd Lord Arniston (1685 - 1753), he was educated at the High School of Edinburgh and then the University of Edinburgh. Dundas was elected member of Parliament for Midlothian, and later for Edinburgh. He was appointed Lord Advocate in 1777 and, under William Pitt, became Secretary of State for the Home Department in 1791. He was also Treasurer to the Navy (1782 - 1800).

Dundas was elected Deputy Governor of the Bank of Scotland (1779) and its Governor (1790), a post he held until his death. He wielded enormous power throughout Britain and its dominions, hence his epithet. He resigned with Pitt in 1801 and was made Viscount Melville and Baron Dunira (his seat near Comrie).

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