Politician and statesman. Born in Edinburgh, Minto was educated in Paris, under the supervision of philosopher David Hume (1711-76) who was Secretary to the British Embassy there, followed by the Universities of Edinburgh and Oxford. Having been called to the Bar, he began a successful parliamentary career in 1776. He played a major part in assuring that Corsica was ceded to Britain at the end of the 18th century and was appointed its Governor in 1794. He went on to serve as an envoy to Vienna (1799 - 1801) and Governor-General of India (1806-13). In this latter role he prevented the French gaining ground in the East Indies. Minto was elevated to a peerage in 1813.
Minto died at Stevenage and lies buried in Westminster Abbey.
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