Thomas Graham, 1st Baron Lynedoch
Thomas Graham, 1st Baron Lynedoch (* October 19, 1748, † December 18, 1843 in London) was a Scottish aristocrat, politician and General.
After his education at the University of Oxford, he inherited large estates, married Marry, second daughter of the ninth Earl Cathcart, and settled on these. But after the death of his wife he hit one of a military (and later political) career.
Youth and Education
Graham was the third and only surviving son of Thomas Graeme of Balgowan in Perthshire and Lady Christian Hope, a daughter of the first Earl of Hopetoun. He was born in 1748 and initially received private instruction of Rev. Mr. Fraser, Minister of Moneydie, followed by James Macpherson, the collector and translator of Ossian's poems. In 1766 he attended Christ Church College in Oxford than a year later his father died.
Death of his wife
Marry Graham's health declined in 1792., On the advice of her doctor she visited with her husband and her sister, the South of France. Despite these measures, she died on June 26, 1792 aboard a ship on the coast near the French port city of Hyères. Her husband spent her remains in a mausoleum, which he built in the cemetery of Methven, Scotland.
The loss of his wife loaded Thomas Graham difficult. After a twelve - month journey to foreign lands, still grieving, he decided on a military career.
Military career
Graham joined as a volunteer in the British Army and helped in the defense of Toulon in France.
After he returned from there, formed Graham - thanks to its use in Toulon now promoted - the first battalion of the 90th Regiment, which would prove to be one of the best in the army. 1796 and 1797 he participated in the campaigns of the Austrian army in Italy under General Wurmser and then commanded the blockade of Malta, which arose in September 1800 after two years of siege. Graham served in 1808 under John Moore in Spain and in 1810 promoted to lieutenant general.
In 1811 he was against Marshal Victor the battle of Barossa, for which he received the thanks of Parliament. In Vitoria, he commanded the left wing. In January 1814, he landed with 10,000 men in Holland, led together with the Prussian General Thümen successfully the battle of Merxheim and took on 8 March an assault on Bergen op Zoom, which was repulsed.
In May 1814, Thomas Graham, Baron Lynedoch as, of Balgowan, raised to the peer and 1821 promoted to general -en- chef.
Retirement
Thomas Graham was known for its vitality in old age. He traveled often and continues to be attended, among others, Italy, Germany, France, Denmark, Sweden and Russia. In 1841, at the age of 94 years, he traveled through France to Genoa and Rome. His horses were sent to Rome, and he also rode there regularly.
He died on December 18, 1843 at the age of 95 years at his home in London.