Lord Charles Henry Somerset PC (12 December 1767 – 18 February 1831), born in Badminton, England, was a British soldier, politician and colonial administrator. He was governor of the Cape Colony, South Africa, from 1814 to 1826.

Early life

Somerset was the second son of Henry Somerset, 5th Duke of Beaufort, and Elizabeth, daughter of Admiral the Hon. Edward Boscawen. He was the brother of Henry Somerset, 6th Duke of Beaufort, General Lord Robert Somerset, Lord Arthur Somerset and Field Marshal FitzRoy Somerset, 1st Baron Raglan.

Career

Somerset sat as member of parliament for Scarborough between 1796 and 1802 and for Monmouth Boroughs between 1802 and 1813. He served as Comptroller of the Household between 1797 and 1804 and as Joint Paymaster of the Forces between 1804 and 1806 and 1807 and 1813 and was sworn of the Privy Council on 26 April 1797. In 1814 he was appointed Governor of the Cape Colony, a post he held until 1826. The towns of Somerset West and Somerset East in South Africa are named after him.

Personal life

Somerset married firstly Lady Elizabeth Courtenay (1766–1815), on 7 June 1788, following their elopement. She was the daughter of the 8th Earl of Devon. They had six children: After the death of Lady Elizabeth, he married secondly Lady Mary Poulett, daughter of John Poulett, 4th Earl Poulett, on 9 August 1821. They had three children: Somerset died in February 1831, aged 63. His second wife died in June 1860, aged 72.

Ancestry